Customers could soon get clarity as to whether the price of the Germany ticket of 49 euros per month will be increased this year or not. A decision could come in January.
Lower Saxony’s Transport Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) told the German Press Agency: “I advocate leaving the price where it is in 2024. With reliability we can win even more users for the D-Ticket.”
The Saxon Ministry of Transport stated that discussions were currently underway between the states. If possible, an agreement on the German ticket price should be reached at the transport ministers’ conference in January.
Federal and state requirements
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the Prime Ministers agreed in November on further steps to finance the Germany Ticket. As previously agreed, the federal government will also contribute half of the costs in 2024 and give 1.5 billion euros. In addition, funds not used in 2023 are to be used for 2024. There should be no “obligation to make additional contributions” by the federal and state governments in 2024, as the resolution stated. This year, the federal and state governments should agree on the further financing of the Deutschlandticket – “including a mechanism for updating the ticket price, which may also include an increase.”
The question now is whether the price of the Germany ticket of 49 euros should be kept below the specified requirements – or whether a price increase is necessary due to loss of revenue for the transport companies from other tickets and other cost increases. The Deutschlandticket was introduced in May 2023 as a digitally bookable, monthly-cancellable subscription. It applies throughout Germany in local and regional transport. The price of 49 euros per month was considered the “introductory price” from the start.
Price increase not until 2025?
Lies said: “The very current figures show that we do not necessarily need to increase the price of the D-Ticket this year.” There is no need for a price discussion. “What we need is trust for customers in the excellent Deutschland Ticket offer.” This requires a clear commitment from everyone involved and clear framework conditions.
“At the same time, we should use the time and develop a transparent mechanism by summer with which we can create the necessary inflation compensation and make moderate price adjustments,” said Lies. “This could then take effect from January 1, 2025. Customers can then prepare for it well in advance. For me, that would be the best model because it is reliable and predictable.”
Baden-Württemberg’s Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) told the dpa: “Together with the transport ministers of the other states, I am fighting for permanent protection of the Deutschlandticket. The federal government must remain responsible for the financing. The costs must continue to be shared in half to be borne equally by the federal government and the states.” The heads of government of the federal states also confirmed this at the Prime Minister’s Conference with the Federal Chancellor. “This course must not be weakened by the federal coalition’s austerity decisions.”
