Deutschlandticket escapes price hike – at least until end of 2024
dpa / Tagesschau
The cost of the 49-euro ‘Deutschlandticket’ will not rise this year, the chair of the conference of state transport ministers Oliver Krischer (North Rhine-Westphalia) told news agency dpa in an article carried by Tagesschau. The Germany-wide monthly rail pass – which covers regional trains (but not high-speed networks like ICE) and urban public transport systems like Berlin’s BVG – was launched at an ‘introductory price’ of 49 euros in May 2023. There has been some confusion over if and when it will become more expensive, as state and federal governments argue over sharing the costs.
The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) says 10 million people subscribe to the subsidised monthly ticket. Following talks between state transport ministers, Olaf Lies, the minister for Lower Saxony, said they would work with the federal government to find funding solutions beyond the end of this year, Tagesschau reports.
Environmental groups including Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) have been among the voices calling for the Deutschlandticket to remain at a stable, affordable price, while the VDV has raised concerns over rising operating costs as the subsidised ticket encourages more people to use public transport.
