49-euro ticket: Is it possible to switch with an existing subscription?

This is the current status

Created: 07/11/2022 17:13

By: Patrick Freiwah

Germany ticket for the price of 49 euros per month: Ideally, it should come as early as January 1, 2023.

© IMAGO/Wolfgang Maria Weber

The 49-euro ticket will soon make local and regional transport more attractive.

What happens to those citizens who have a valid subscription?

We explain the current status.

Munich - Inflation is progressing briskly, the strained wallets of the German population are longing for relief.

One of them will affect local and regional transport: the 49-euro ticket, a digital monthly pass that is valid nationwide.

However, it is currently (as of November 7th) still unclear when the offer, also known as the "Deutschland-Ticket", will be introduced.

The sticking point is the technical implementation and the financing: the federal and state governments have now agreed on the costs, but the transport companies concerned are dissatisfied with the entrepreneurial risk.

49-euro ticket: what happens to people who already have a subscription?

There's no doubt that a lot of people would save money with the new €49 ticket, but that also depends on individual regional circumstances.

Anyone who already has a valid subscription with one of the local transport associations is wondering what will happen to it after the introduction of the Germany ticket?

First of all, nothing at all, explains, for example, the Munich Transport and Tariff Association GmbH (MVV).

As a result, subscribers to an annual ticket should first wait and see when the 49-euro ticket will even start.

While the desired date of January 1st is still being proclaimed by politicians, the transport companies expect the 49-euro ticket to be introduced later:

As the MVV explains, the persons concerned or "regular customers" will be informed personally and can then decide for themselves whether to change their existing subscription.

In many places, the relief measure that has been decided crosses with new price increases, such as in Bavaria.

Buy a 49-euro ticket or keep your existing subscription?

The thoughts of many public transport users will revolve around this key question – after all, a subscription to local public transport costs several hundred euros a year.

"As soon as all the details of the offer have been clarified, customers will be informed and asked whether they want to switch to the new ticket offer," reads a current statement from German transport companies.

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The difference compared to the 9-euro ticket, which caused overloaded train connections and tense nerves in many places over the summer months of 2022: the subscriptions are not automatically switched to the 49-euro ticket.

The reason is that depending on the case, it would cost more money to switch.

This also depends to a large extent on the options for taking passengers with you that are not available with the Deutschlandticket.

In Germany, the 49-euro ticket will be introduced, only the start time is still open.

© Jens Büttner/dpa/symbol image

49-euro ticket for twelve months: are there further discounts as an annual ticket?

The current conclusion for November 2022 is therefore: Wait until the start time of the nationwide 49-euro ticket is fixed and then wait for the information from the respective service provider - and ask questions if necessary.

The promise is: As soon as an agreement has been sealed between the federal government, the federal states and the transport company, information will be provided about the optional subscription change.

Another important concern could be a possible further discount on the 49-euro ticket if you decide to take out an annual subscription.

According to reports, an annual ticket for the Deutschlandticket costs twelve times 49 euros - in contrast to the current subscriptions, there will be no financial advantage if you sign up for a whole year instead of a monthly ticket.

In return, the new Germany-wide local transport offer can be canceled on a monthly basis, and no longer just up to a certain point in the year.

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