Quick & Compact: The Facts
- Start Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
- Duration (Phase 1): Until March 15, 2026
- Location: All lines (Bus & Tram) in Jena
- Identification: ID card „Schwerbehindertenzählung 2026“
- Interview Duration: Less than one minute
Jena (17.02.2026) – Anyone traveling by bus or tram in Jena next week might be approached more often than usual – though not for a classic ticket inspection. Jenaer Nahverkehr is launching a new wave of passenger surveys on Monday, February 23, 2026. The goal is to obtain an accurate picture of the types of tickets used within the city area.
Why is the count being conducted?
The data collection is part of a larger process that will span the entire year of 2026. The phase starting next Monday runs until March 15 and represents the first of four survey periods this year. Such counts are essential for transport companies. They serve not only for the statistical recording of passenger numbers but are often the basis for revenue distribution within transport associations or for compensatory payments – for example, for the free transport of severely disabled persons.
Procedure and Data Protection
The survey takes place randomly on all lines of Jenaer Nahverkehr. However, passengers do not need to worry about the time factor: the interviews are designed so that they do not disrupt operations and take up very little time for the individual passenger. Typically, the survey lasts less than a minute. It is purely about the type of ticket used (e.g., single trip, monthly pass, Deutschlandticket, or severely disabled person’s pass).
An important aspect for everyone involved is data protection. Participation in the survey is voluntary for passengers. Furthermore, no personal data such as names or addresses are collected; the recording is completely anonymous. It is solely about the statistical distribution of ticket types in the network.
How do I recognize the interviewers?
To avoid confusion with ticket inspectors or uncertainty about whether the personnel are authorized, all interviewers wear a clearly visible, personalized ID card. This card features the lettering „Schwerbehindertenzählung 2026“. This indicates the legal background of the survey, as transport companies receive compensatory payments for the transport of severely disabled persons according to the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch), the amount of which is determined by such quotas.
Jenaer Nahverkehr asks all passengers for their friendly support of the survey staff to ensure a demand-oriented public transport service in the future.
Sources:
Original, Feed
Transparency Note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.