Third of users would opt out of Germany’s nationwide public transport ticket if price was to rise – survey

More than a third of people currently using Germany’s nationwide public transport ticket would end their subscription if costs went up much further than the current 49 euros per month. In a survey by news agency dpa published by Zeit Online, 37 percent of “Germany Ticket” holders said the current price was the upper limit of what they are willing to pay for the service, which allows travel on most public transport options across the country with a single ticket. About one in four respondents (23%) said they would be willing to accept a price increase of up to ten euros, while about one third said they would still buy the ticket at an even higher fare. Six percent said they would pay up to 89 euros per month.
The ticket, introduced in spring 2023, has been hailed as a potential breakthrough in transport policy that could trigger a long-term change to mobility patterns. However, the issue of how to fund the ticket has been debated by the federal government and states since it was introduced, casting doubt on the offer’s long-term viability. States argue they need compensation for the loss in income due to lower ticket fares imposed by the federal government, with a price increase discussed as one of the options to recover some of the losses. Germany’s public transport association VDV said losses associated with the ticket could amount to more than four billion euros in 2024, leaving a funding gap of about 400 million euros if the federal government’s financial assistance is taken into account.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz and state premiers were due to meet on 6 November to discuss further proceedings regarding the nationwide public transport pass. NGO Allianz pro Schiene said the ticket needs a long-term funding plan to realise its full potential to a transition in the mobility sector. “The German Ticket is of immense value to the mobility transition,” NGO head Dirk Flege said, arguing it is Scholz’s responsibility to save the ticket which the chancellor had called “one of the best ideas we’ve ever had.” The monthly 49-euro fare is secured until the end of the year.