The Germany ticket costs 49 euros. But passengers may soon have to pay a lot more - perhaps this year.
Bremen – The Deutschlandticket celebrates its first birthday on May 1st. Since 2023, travelers have been able to travel by bus and train throughout Germany for 49 euros a month - even a trip to neighboring countries is possible with the 49-euro ticket. But the price of the ticket could soon rise significantly.
Transport ministers of the federal states are currently discussing the financing of the Deutschlandticket
The Germany ticket is described by politicians as a tariff revolution. More than 11 million tickets have already been sold since May 1, 2023. When you purchase the ticket, a subscription is automatically concluded. However, it is unclear whether the comparatively affordable price of 49 euros can remain. The transport ministers of the federal states have been debating this question since Wednesday (April 17).
It was only in January of this year that they decided that the price for the Germany ticket should remain stable. Christian Bernreiter, the Bavarian transport minister, explained that the decision was based on Chancellor Olaf Scholz's promise that remaining funds from last year could be carried over to this year. This is 350 million euros that the states and transport companies urgently need.
If the countries do not receive the promised funds, the Germany ticket will become more expensive this year
However, nothing has been done on this matter since November. “If the funds are not transferred, the Germany ticket will have to become more expensive this year, or it will even be phased out completely.” Bernreiter wants to avoid both, as this would mean a major loss of trust.
Before decisions can be made, precise figures on revenue must be available, explained Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein's transport minister. But he also warned: “It may be that there will be a greater burden on passengers in the future and the price will rise.” Madsen demanded a signal from the federal government that it would continue to assume its responsibility for the Deutschlandticket after 2026. In order to compensate for the loss of income for the transport companies due to the ticket, the federal government will pay 1.5 billion euros annually until 2025 according to the Regionalization Act - the states will also pay 1.5 billion.
Price for Germany ticket threatens to rise: “The federal and state governments must stick to their promise”
The federal government's so-called regionalization funds, which the states and transport associations use to order rail and bus connections from transport companies, have been controversial for years - the states are demanding more money. This is also related to a planned “expansion and modernization pact” for local public transport.
If the price remains at 49 euros at least this year, it is still unclear how much more expensive it could be in 2025. Ramona Pop, board member of the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations, appealed: “The federal and state governments must now stand by their promise and keep the price stable, at least until 2030.” In order to attract even more people to buses and trains in the long term, secure, permanent financing is needed of the Germany ticket is necessary.
(dt/dpa)