As of: January 22, 2024, 5:50 p.m
Comments
Press
Split
The price for the Germany ticket is not expected to increase this year.
© Boris Roessler/dpa/archive image
Good news for millions of users of the so-called 49 euro ticket: The financing was discussed for a long time, but now the federal and state governments have been able to agree on the future price.
Düsseldorf/Berlin - Millions of commuters and travelers can count on a stable price for the Deutschlandticket for nationwide journeys on local and regional public transport this year.
“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,” said the chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers, North Rhine-Westphalia department head Oliver Krischer (Greens), who German press agency after consultations with the state ministers.
Lower Saxony's Transport Minister Olaf Lies emphasized that "we as states agree that we do not need a price increase for the Deutschlandticket this year."
Based on the available data, no price increase will be necessary in 2024 because the financing is adequate, said the SPD politician.
“The price can remain stable this year too.” This is a signal of reliability for users.
“This also brings the necessary clarity for the transport companies and the municipalities.” According to Lies, the states have agreed to work with the federal government on solutions that ensure flexible financing beyond the annual limit.
Around ten million people use the ticket
The Deutschlandticket was introduced on May 1, 2023 for nationwide travel on local and regional transport as a digitally bookable, monthly-cancellable subscription.
According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), it is used by around ten million people.
It usually costs 49 euros per month.
Krischer said the Deutschlandticket is already a successful model: millions of people use it every day.
It relieves commuters and makes an important contribution to the mobility transition, social participation and climate protection.
“Our goal must therefore be to secure the ticket financially in the long term and sustainably - in the interest of the customers, but also of the many transport companies,” said Krischer.
You need clarity and planning security.
The Prime Minister's Conference has given an order for this.
In November, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the Prime Ministers agreed on further steps to finance the Deutschlandticket.
Ultimately, transport companies lose important income due to the cheaper subscription.
As previously agreed, the federal government will also contribute half of the costs in 2024 and give 1.5 billion euros.
In addition, unused funds should be used for 2024.
The Federal Ministry of Transport announced on Monday before the special conference of state ministers that the transferability of remaining funds from the Germany ticket from 2023 will be maintained.
My news
Heil announces a pension package and defends himself against criticism: “There is no pension at 63 anymore” read
New plan for the pension: Habeck wants to pay pensioners more money
Important post for pensioners: What the new letter from the pension insurance means read
Weselsky attacks Deutsche Bahn: “Tricks and deceives” – waiver of legal strike clarification
GDL rail strike: “Mr. Weselsky likes to keep this quiet” read
Pensioners in Germany receive less money – experts call for tough measures
Changing people's mobility behavior
Environmental organizations and consumer advocates had warned of higher prices.
Interest in the Germany ticket could decline significantly.
The environmental organization BUND argued that discussions about price increases created uncertainty and inhibited people's willingness to permanently change their mobility behavior.
“The legal climate requirements in transport can only be met with a good environmental network offering of walking, cycling and public transport,” said BUND expert Jens Hilgenberg.
The local transport industry had shown itself open to a possible price increase and called for longer-term planning security.
The VDV pointed to the growing financial requirements due to higher personnel, energy and operating costs in local public transport.
The industry's primary goal remains to convince as many people as possible of the ticket.
It is therefore important that the public discussions about the continuation of the ticket end.
dpa