Current information about the semester ticket
Students without a smartphone now finally have the opportunity to apply for an alternative via the Studierendenwerk so that they can use their digital semester ticket. The cost for this is €15 per semester, but you can have this reimbursed by the Studierendenwerk after payment.
You can find all further information and the application form here: https://www.stwhh.de/studienfinanzierung/semesterticketerstattung
If you have any questions about the chip card and how to apply for it, please contact the staff at the Studierendenwerk:
Email: semesterticket"AT"stwhh.de
Phone: +49 (0) 40 42 815 5144 and +49 (0) 40 42 815 5145
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We are still receiving numerous enquiries about using the D semester ticket. We would like to apologise for the fact that the information situation is still unclear. We also only receive a lot of information on request and bit by bit or even by chance. We are negotiating at full speed with the hvv. However, the tickets can only be provided by the hvv. As can the technical realisation. Therefore, please contact S-Bahn Hamburg directly if you have any technical queries (SBHH.Kundensupport@deutschebahn.com or by phone: 040 3918 3900).
We would like to answer the most important questions here at the beginning. For current information, we refer you to our website so that you can stay informed about the latest developments.
If I want to save the ticket in the Wallet, I only have two options: Google or Stocard (Klarna). Do I have to accept their privacy policy?
No. You are not tied to Google or Stocard, even if this is suggested (according to the current status). If you select the Stocard option, you will receive a .pkpass file that you can insert into any wallet app. However, you will have to update this manually every month, as the automatic update function is only maintained in Google Wallet. We will publish instructions on our website in the coming days.
Can I take my children between the ages of 6 and 14 on the D-Semesterticket?
No. The hvv refers to the model contract for the Deutschlandticket, which does not provide for this option. In contrast to other transport associations, it has ruled out a supplementary contract. However, the governing parties in the Hamburg Senate intend to introduce a free D-Ticket for Hamburg school pupils from August 2024.
How can I use the ticket if I don't have a smartphone?
Unfortunately, the ticket cannot currently be used without a smartphone. The hvv points out that any mobile device with internet access can be used as long as you can log in to RIDE to show your ticket at a ticket inspection. This includes laptops or tablets, for example. Free Wi-Fi is provided via MobyKlick at many stations in Hamburg. In our opinion, this procedure is hardly practicable in everyday life. If you come to a ticket inspection, we still advise you to insist that you are given the opportunity to access your ticket. Even if it takes a long time. As the hvv (as things stand at present) does not wish to issue instructions to its control staff, we unfortunately cannot promise you that they will understand this. For all those who are travelling from further afield or would like to use the ticket (as intended) on regional services, this will unfortunately be even more difficult to implement.
Does this mean that I will never be able to use the semester ticket without a smartphone?
An alternative chip card is currently being developed. However, the hvv insists that this will only be issued for a fee and after individual examination in absolutely exceptional cases and is strictly limited. It has not yet been clarified how the application procedure will be organised. Nor is it clear when this alternative will be available.
I had expenses because I bought additional tickets even though I paid the semester fee on time. Can I have the costs reimbursed?
The hvv has ruled out covering the expenses incurred. We as the AStA have looked into this possibility, but unfortunately we are not in a financial position to do so. Nevertheless, we advise you to document your costs and keep your tickets. We are pessimistic, but perhaps something can still be achieved politically.
Why doesn't the hvv provide an interim solution?
The hvv refers to the resolutions of the nationwide coordination council. This stipulates that the ticket may only be issued via smartphone or chip card. This is a political decision. Technically, issuing the ticket as a printed QR code would be easy to implement and would not entail any security shortcomings compared to a smartphone. According to the decision, however, this option has been explicitly excluded since 31/12/2023. While other transport associations nevertheless offer transitional solutions, the hvv is not prepared to do so. However, according to the hvv, if you are unable to present your ticket at a ticket inspection and then present it at a service centre, you will ‘only’ be charged a processing fee of €7 instead of the €60 increased fare. We will reimburse you for these costs retrospectively if you can provide the relevant proof. Please send an email to semesterticket"AT"asta.uni-hamburg.de with the subject ‘Processing fee’.
You can view the resolutions of the Coordination Council on the D-Ticket here:
Why doesn't the AStA provide an interim solution?
We know that we have been referred to by various organisations. We have proposed various models to hvv and S-Bahn and demanded solutions. All of them were rejected. As it is ultimately up to the hvv how the travel authorisation is controlled and structured in practice, we cannot independently establish a solution without their willingness to compromise, even as a contractual partner.
However, we can offer the following within the scope of our possibilities:
Smartphone exchange programme: we want to offer those who cannot afford a smartphone the prospect of using their digital semester ticket. To this end, we are planning a programme in the coming weeks that will allow students to hand in their old, unused smartphones to us at the Infocafé (as well as at Café Knallhart and Café Paranoia) so that we can pass them on to students in need. We will of course remove any data from the donations.
So if you have old devices at home, please bring them to us!
If you need a smartphone, we will inform you via various channels as soon as we have devices available.
We know that there are other good reasons besides the financial aspect to do without a smartphone. Accordingly, you can also use the devices only as very bulky tickets without accessing other functions. All you have to do is connect to the internet once a month and load your semester ticket into a wallet app. You can then switch off the internet connection or the smartphone itself again until you run into a check. We will publish instructions on how to do this on our website in the coming days.
Joining the 9-Fund: If you join the 9-Euro Fund, you may be able to receive a refund of any increased transport charges from this fund: https://9eurofonds.de/. Please note that it is a criminal offence under Section 265a of the Criminal Code to obtain transport by a means of transport with the intention of not paying the fare. If you have not been reimbursed for the semester ticket contribution from the semester ticket hardship fund, you have paid your contribution to the costs of the Deutschland-Semesterticket with the semester contribution and thus basically have a right to travel, the proof of which has so far been politically prevented for those who do not have a smartphone. The 9-euro fund also gives you the opportunity to show solidarity with all those who cannot afford a ticket. We also refer you to the Freedom Fund, which you can donate to: https://www.freiheitsfonds.de/
Get politically active with us! The design of the D-Semesterticket in its current form is a political decision that was made at federal level. However, this is not natural, but the result of political processes and social power relations. The only way to change this is to organise and become collectively active. If you would like to do this, send us an email with the subject: ‘Action’ to semesterticket@asta.uni-hamburg.de. The AStA represents the political interests of the student body, not just a service provider. We can only assert our interests together.
If you have any further questions, please also contact: semesterticket"AT"asta.uni-hamburg.de