Elbe-Labe-Ticket

A common cross-border ticketing system was established in the Elbe/Labe Euroregion on the Czech-German border in 2007, mainly to meet tourist needs. The initiative was taken thanks to the work of the local German transport company VVO (Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe), which concluded separate contracts with the Czech transport companies on the other side of the border. However, this multi-stakeholder cooperation proved to be a cumbersome and time-consuming process, which led to the Czech operators also merging into a single company, DÚK (Doprava Ústeckého kraje)[1]

Although the companies operate on the basis of a zonal system, this does not apply to the Elbe-Labe-Ticket, for which a separate tariff system has been set up. With the ticket, passengers can travel freely throughout the entire VVO territory and on all DÚK services, whether domestic or cross-border. Tickets are valid for one day only, until 04:00 on the following day.[2] In addition to single day tickets, family, small group and bicycle tickets are also available. Tickets can only be purchased on the spot and are not available in digital format. The tickets on the German and Czech sites are different as they are sold in different price categories. This is due to the different purchasing power. The day ticket for the Czech Republic (Jízdenka Labe-Elbe) is cheaper, but it only entitles the holder to free movement on the Czech side and can only be validated on the Czech side. If you want to cross the border with a day ticket, you will have to pay an extra fee. This also applies to tickets issued in Germany. This extra charge is the same on both sides of the border.[3]

The revenue from the tickets sold is aggregated on a monthly basis on both sides and the difference is compensated by a refund. The offset amount is “repatriated” by the two companies and distributed to their domestic partners.[4]

[1] Link: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/studies/public-transport-cross-border/transport-cross-border-toolbox.pdf 

[2] Link: https://www.vvo-online.de/de/linien-plaene/boehmen/index.cshtml#Preise 

[3] Link: https://www.euregio-zwk.org/upload/files/Report_EuregioViaSalina_CrossBorderPublicTransport_19072023.pdf; https://archive.espon.eu/sites/default/files/attachments/ESPON%20CPS%2008%20Scientific%20Report%20Annex%20IX%20Elbe-Labe.pdf 

[4] Link: https://archive.espon.eu/sites/default/files/attachments/ESPON%20CPS%2008%20Scientific%20Report%20Annex%20IX%20Elbe-Labe.pdf