Umsteigen70: Public transport ticket in exchange for driving licence
Senior citizens with their main residence in Bremerhaven can travel free of charge on buses within the city area from the age of 70 – if they voluntarily surrender their driving licence beforehand.
“Umsteigen70” is the name of the new offer from the municipal transport operator “Bremerhaven Bus”.
Since its launch in mid-March 2023, around 500 seniors have already signed up, according to Weser-Kurier. The ticket is initially valid for twelve months and must be actively renewed. However, the long-term outlook is “lifetime validity”.
“Umsteigen70” offers additional benefits: at certain times, cardholders are allowed to take additional passengers, and on some days even travel across the entire transport network.
The seaport city with 113,000 inhabitants is the first in the Bremen/Niedersachsen transport association to introduce such a scheme. Will it remain unique? In the state capital Bremen, located around 60 kilometers away, voices among older residents are increasingly calling for the same option – exchanging their driving licence for a public transport ticket, ideally permanently.
Sources: Bremerhaven Bus, Weser-Kurier
