Almost three months after the launch of the Deutschlandticket, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing sees opportunities for a lasting boost in the use of buses and trains. “The ticket is really a huge success,” said the FDP politician of the German Press Agency.
Since it was introduced on May 1st, almost one million new customers have been won for local public transport. “And we have increased the number of subscribers who are firmly committed to public transport. This means that there is not just occasional use, but everyday use.” However, the focus is now also on improvements in what is on offer for passengers.
Expectations were high when the new ticket was launched after a long struggle between the federal and state governments about a successor to the limited 9-euro tickets from summer 2022. Since May 1st, the Deutschlandticket can be used for 49 euros per month – as a digitally bookable subscription that can be canceled monthly. It is valid nationwide in local transport, and without having to worry about complicated fare zones. The 49 euros are expressly the “introductory price”. Later increases due to rising costs are therefore not excluded.
The subscription effect
Wissing said: “The subscription solution was also so important to me because it reverses the question of costs: if you have a subscription, you save money every time you use public transport – if you don’t have a subscription, you have to pay extra every time .” If you look at the subscription numbers, the calculation adds up. In just a few weeks, it was possible to convince six million people to use public transport on a permanent basis. According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), there are five million new subscription customers who had previously used public transport without a subscription. And then around a million subscriptions from completely new public transport users. “That alone is a bombastic success.” Originally there were eleven million subscriptions before the Deutschlandticket. Five million of them have now switched to the D-Ticket.
The regional effect
Wissing emphasized: “The ticket is not only interesting in urban centers, but also in rural areas and on the periphery of metropolitan areas.” There was a problem with prices that were too high. “Sometimes you pay 200 or 300 euros for a monthly ticket. And to be honest, even single tickets for more than 10 euros each way are a lot of money for a family.” This is difficult, especially in rural areas, because people not only use public transport, but usually also have to have a car. “Now, with an attractive offer, we have created a real opportunity to really move across modes of transport.” According to initial surveys, the number of daily commuter journeys by train is increasing.
The price question
“Of course the price plays a role,” explained the minister. “But let’s not forget: The 49 euros are significantly lower than the previous subscription prices and are therefore a significant financial relief with an extended scope.” And: “The more subscribers we have, the cheaper the ticket can remain permanently. That’s why we have to ensure that as many as possible use the ticket in the long term.” In the end, you also have to make sure that public transport works well overall. “That means: the offer and the infrastructure must also be right.” Calls from consumer advocates for a multi-year price guarantee have so far been ignored by politicians.
The investment question
“Of course, not all problems have been solved with the Germany ticket, but it is already a real game changer,” said the minister. “Now we are working, among other things, on the expansion of the railways. Those responsible on site must also gear the offer more closely to the needs of passengers – for example with suitable intervals at peak times.” Not only environmental organizations have long been pushing for a denser range, especially in rural areas. Can higher demand from the D-Ticket make this more worthwhile?
The question of money
The federal states are stubbornly demanding more money from the federal government – and not just for campaigns like the new ticket, but also for normal operation with rising costs for personnel and energy. It is about the regionalization funds from Berlin, with which states and associations order services from transport companies. Wissing said that the federal government is already supporting the federal states responsible for public transport with more than ten billion euros a year. And since this year, the funds have also been increased by three percent per year. “That’s a lot of additional money.” Overall, the federal government will give additional regionalization funds of 17.3 billion euros from 2022 to 2031 alone.
