Public transport: Minister of Transport argue about the future of Germany subscription

The Conference of Transport Ministers is again about the future of the Germany ticket. The Transport Minister of the federal and state governments meet today in Berlin, among other things, beyond the financing of the subscription to local public transport (public transport) beyond 2025. It is completely open whether an agreement will come. Above all, the federal states see the federal government as a duty to secure the ticket financially.

The Germany subscription has been around since May 2023; It enables its owners nationwide in public regional and local transport. The price for the ticket increased by nine euros to 58 euros per month in January.

No financing from 2026

The offer is financed primarily by means of the federal and state governments, each shooting 1.5 billion euros. So far, additional costs have been covered by the price increase and remaining funds from 2023. But there is still no regulation for the period after 2025.

The eternal dispute over the financing has always been frustration among consumers and especially the transport companies. “It cannot be that millions of people have to worry about their Germany ticket again and again,” said Christoph Bautz, Managing Director of the Campact campaign organization. “We expect the traffic ministers to agree on permanent and reliable financing.”

Dispute over price mechanism

The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) also demands the fastest possible clarity about the future of the Germany ticket. In order to keep the 13.5 million users so far, VDV President Ingo Wortmann said. A public transport-specific price index is needed, where the ticket price is aligned and the transparency of customers creates.

In view of the discussion about money, some countries already refer to their own tight households. “More than the 1.5 billion euros that have been paid to date, the countries cannot handle,” says the Bavarian Ministry of Transport, which is currently the chair in the Conference of Transport Ministers. “The federal government has to put money on here!”

Federal government is committed to the ticket

In the coalition agreement, the new federal government is committed to the Germany ticket. This will be “continued beyond 2025,” it says. The price for passengers should remain stable up to and including 2028. After that he could increase significantly.

“The Minister of Transport Minister of the States expect the federal government to finance the associated additional costs in public transport operation,” says a draft decision from the country side in the German press agency (dpa). And further: “The countries see no way to raise more than 1.5 billion euros per year for the ticket due to the tense budget.”

The new Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) recently told the dpa: “Our goal is that we will continue the Germany ticket and also find a permanent mechanism, as the price will develop in the future.” The development must go to the fact that an offer like the Germany ticket is so attractive that it is wearing itself.

Also a special fund at the conference

In addition to the Germany ticket, the federal and state governments will also discuss the funds that should flow from the planned, debt -financed special fund of the Federal Government to the federal states.

“It is good that there is a special fund for infrastructure at all, but the design is not going well now,” said North Rhine-Westphalian Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens). “Again, money should be distributed according to proportz and not as needed.” NRW on the rail and road has the greatest catching up to do with the renovation. “But that is not reflected in the country’s share,” criticized KRIER.