The federal and state governments have agreed on a cheaper Germany ticket for students. The North Rhine-Westphalian Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens), as chairman of the transport ministers’ conference of the states, spoke of a breakthrough on Monday evening at the request of the German Press Agency. Around three million students could now get a semester ticket for 29.40 euros per month based on the Deutschlandticket. The nationwide uniform semester ticket could start in the summer semester of 2024, provided that the general student committees quickly conclude the necessary contracts with the transport companies.
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing said: “I am pleased that today we were able to agree with the states on a Germany ticket for students. After the Prime Minister’s Conference finally confirmed the financing issues regarding the Germany ticket, nothing stood in the way of an agreement on the semester ticket. This will now benefit “The students also benefit from this attractive Germany-wide offer – and at a very reasonable price.”
Isabel Cademartori, transport policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, said: “The Germany-wide semester ticket in the solidarity model is coming.” It will cost 29.40 euros, which corresponds to 60 percent of the regular price for the ticket. The federal and state governments have cleared the way for a further expansion of the number of regular subscribers. “And all this without significant additional costs for the federal and state governments.” The solidarity model means that all students contribute to financing an affordable public transport ticket.
Demand for price stability
Madita Lachetta, a member of the federal board of the Juso university groups, said that student bodies have canceled their semester ticket contracts in recent months out of fear of lawsuits. “Due to the introduction of the 49-euro Germany ticket, many students are currently without a semester ticket.” The student bodies are now free to offer the new offer or negotiate regional alternative solutions. Lachetta called for price stability for the Germany ticket. If the standard price increases, the price of the discounted ticket for students would also increase.
Against the background of a financial dispute, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and the state prime ministers agreed that the Deutschlandticket would continue to exist for buses and trains in local and regional transport. A big question, however, is how long the ticket will continue to be offered at 49 euros per month or will it soon become more expensive. The transport ministers should develop a concept for a long-term secured ticket.
Wissing said that for the federal states responsible for public transport, the agreement on the semester ticket would mean secure income that would help keep the ticket price as low as possible. “With the Deutschlandticket semester ticket, we are permanently binding a young group of customers to public transport.”
