In 2024, the Germany ticket should remain at its initial 49 euros. But in 2025 things could look completely different. A new price will be set later this year.
Update from April 18, 2024:
The Germany ticket in local and regional transport should remain permanent. That is the final word at the transport ministers' conference on April 18th. What remains unclear, however, is the financing of the project – and therefore also the price. The ticket started on May 1, 2023. For its comparatively low price of 49 euros, it was promptly given a corresponding name: the 49 euro ticket.
More expensive Germany ticket 2025 possible – price will be determined “in good time”.
After there was initially the all-clear for a price increase in 2024, the question mark for the coming years is getting bigger. Is the price increasing? And if so, by how much? Is the ticket still worth it for most rail customers? A price increase next year is possible - but not guaranteed. This depends on various factors, such as the exact amount of income, including the number of tickets sold, as well as price increases such as for staff.
In the coming weeks we will have a good numerical basis as to whether the price can be maintained, said the Baden-Württemberg department head Winfried Hermann (Greens). The transport ministers want to set a ticket price for 2025 “in good time” in the second half of the year, as stated in a paper.
Germany ticket will not be more expensive for the time being – until when?
Update from January 23, 2024:
There is good news for millions of commuters and travelers this year: the price for the Germany ticket remains stable. This welcome announcement came after a special online conference of the federal states' transport ministers.
49 euros for the Germany ticket: The price remains stable – for now
Accordingly, unused funds from 2023 could be used to offset the deficit in 2024. This means that the price of 49 euros per month will remain the same for the entire year 2024.
In addition, there is hope that even more new customers will be added to continue to ensure price stability. According to initial forecasts, the expected loss of income for the transport companies is not as high as feared. Whether the price of 49 euros can also be maintained in 2025 remains to be seen for the time being.
Price increase for the Germany ticket – the tremors will continue from 2025
This means that for 2025 the turmoil over the price of the Germany ticket will continue as before. Until then, however, subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief.
The chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers, North Rhine-Westphalia's department head Oliver Krischer, confirms: "The Conference of Transport Ministers has created clarity for 2024: Even if there is public discussion about price increases from May, the introductory price of 49 euros will remain stable for the entire year."
How much does the Germany ticket cost?
First report from September 20, 2023:
As the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) reports, it forecasts an additional subsidy requirement of over one billion euros for 2024 to finance the Deutschlandticket in local and regional transport. The subsidy costs then add up to a total of 4.09 billion euros. The VDV cites an increase in the ticket price to 59 euros and an expansion of the number of users as possible measures to reduce the higher subsidy requirement.
Facts about the Germany ticket:
Price:
49 euros
Notice period:
monthly
Validity:
Valid in all local public transport in Germany, i.e. regional rail transport, buses, trams, subways and S-Bahns.
How is it offered?
Digitally in the DB-Navigator smartphone app or as a chip card. The ticket is personal and therefore not transferable.
Pressure on politicians regarding the Germany ticket is growing
With the Deutschlandticket, users can save a lot of money, but the savings effects on the consumer side trigger losses on the other side - namely high additional costs for municipal transport companies. The pressure on politicians to offset this imbalance through a sustainable financing system is growing, which is why there are currently discussions in the government. Here you can find the most important questions and answers about the Deutschlandticket.
Next year, only three billion euros in subsidies have been confirmed by the federal and state governments. There is a gap of over one billion euros compared to the VDV's calculated need of 4.09 billion euros. Where the money will come from is completely unclear. That's why the federal and state governments are arguing about the financing of the Deutschlandticket next year.
The future of the Germany ticket is in jeopardy
If financing is not secured, it will not be possible to continue issuing the Deutschlandticket, according to the VDV. The association estimates that there will be a price increase to 59 euros per month. This would result in lower sales figures, but higher income. SÜDWEST24 reports how the Deutschlandticket subscription can be canceled because it might be too expensive. Depending on the timing of the price increase, the subsidy requirement from the federal and state governments would decrease. You can read more about the Deutschlandticket in the article Deutschland-Ticket attracts new users to public transport. (khei)