The Germany ticket can quickly be history again – says the chairman of the conference of transport ministers of the federal states. The reason is open financing. There will be a special conference on Thursday.
Because of the financial dispute with the federal government, North Rhine-Westphalia Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) has warned against the end of the Deutschlandticket. The chairman of the conference of transport ministers of the federal states told the German Press Agency: “If a solution is not found very quickly for the Germany ticket, then what we are all rightly celebrating as the most successful ticket model in public transport history and what really is Huge progress is history again very quickly.” Krischer also called for federal approval for a nationwide semester ticket.
On Thursday there will be a special digital meeting of the conference of federal and state transport ministers. The aim there is to coordinate a common position between the states and talk to the federal government about the situation, said Krischer. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) was of course also invited. “We have not yet received an acceptance or rejection.”
Future financing open
Since May 1st, the Deutschlandticket can be used for buses and trains in local and regional transport for 49 euros per month, as a digitally bookable, monthly-cancelable subscription throughout Germany. The federal and state governments are each giving 1.5 billion euros by 2025. In the first year, possible additional costs should be shared in half – but this “additional payment obligation” is open from 2024.
Krischer therefore spoke of a difficult financial situation. “It is not clear whether the federal government will contribute to all costs.” However, the obligation to make additional contributions is necessary because local transport companies have to have a basis from which to calculate. “We as states are prepared to pay half of the additional costs. However, there is no clear signal from the federal government, but on the contrary a hardening.” He takes from Wissing’s statements that there should not be a single euro from the federal government. “Then of course we are facing a difficult future with the Deutschlandticket.”
The NRW Ministry of Transport considers the Association of German Transport Companies’ forecast of additional costs of 1.1 billion euros in 2024 to be realistic. The solution must be that the federal and state governments continue to share the additional costs equally, emphasized Minister Krischer.
Krischer sees three scenarios
There are three scenarios as to how one could react to the unclear financing if the federal government continues to stick to its “blockade stance”. “One option is to increase the price. There is already a figure in the room, namely 59 euros. You could do that. But I think it would be politically fatal if you raise such an increase less than a year after the introduction “That wouldn’t help us in this matter either. If you make the ticket ten euros more expensive, then people will get out again and the income won’t be much higher in the end. That means a price increase is not a solution,” said Krischer.
“The second solution is for the states to say that we will cover the additional costs alone. But I don’t see any political acceptance among the states. The third option would be to reduce the supply in order to save costs. But that contradicts pretty much every transport policy program .”
Regarding Wissing’s request to save on sales costs in public transport and to reduce the number of transport associations, the Green politician said: “I don’t want to hide the fact that there is always a need for reform and that you always have to take a look, that’s one thing or another other structure still appropriate at the time.” However, this will not begin to solve the financing problems in public transport and the Deutschlandticket.
“A huge problem we have in public transport is Deutsche Bahn. And that is a structural problem,” added Krischer. He would like Wissing to take care of his structural problems. “Then we would already have made progress in many areas. There is no need for clever advice to the countries.”
Reduced semester ticket
The Conference of Transport Ministers in Aachen in the spring made a proposal for a nationwide semester ticket for 29.60 euros per month, said Krischer. “This allows us to maintain this distance through the solidarity model.” But the federal government has not reacted for months. “This is even more incomprehensible because it costs nothing more to introduce such a nationwide semester ticket. On the contrary, it is a relief because we are keeping this large group of around three million students in the system.” Due to the joint financing, the states would need the federal government’s approval.
Source: Stern
