The Germany ticket for 49 euros is a successful model. But now the federal and state governments are arguing about further financing. A special conference should bring movement.
The transport ministers of the federal states will discuss the future financing of the Germany Ticket for buses and trains with the federal government in a special digital conference today (3 p.m.). North Rhine-Westphalia Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens), who is currently chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers, had warned that the offer would end. If a solution is not found very quickly, then the successful ticket model will “quickly become history again,” Krischer said.
At the special conference, the states want to agree on a common position and talk to the federal government about the situation. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) was also invited to the digital round. But he doesn’t take part. It was initially unclear who from the federal side would be at the conference.
Wissing rejects new talks
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing rejects new talks with the states about additional federal money for the Deutschlandticket. Financial issues have been clarified by 2025 as part of a Prime Minister’s Conference, combined with the agreement to talk about further financing and structure of the Germany ticket in 2025, said the FDP politician in the ntv program “Early Start”. “And now it’s 2023.”
The Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) called for secure, permanent financing so that the Deutschlandticket can be successful in the long term and get more people on local transport. “The Deutschlandticket is a milestone for local public transport,” said vzbv board member Ramona Pop.
Possible additional costs for the Germany ticket are controversial
With the new ticket, using the bus and train is “easier than ever” and most consumers can travel significantly cheaper. However, the discussions about financing caused uncertainty. Pop spoke out against a possible price increase. “An increase in the price of the recently introduced Germany ticket for 49 euros is unacceptable.”
Since May 1st, you can use the D-Ticket to travel on buses and trains in local public transport nationwide for 49 euros per month – with a digitally bookable, monthly-cancellable subscription. According to a basic agreement, the federal and state governments will each contribute 1.5 billion euros per year until 2025. However, the possible additional costs of the Germany ticket are controversial. In the first year, the additional costs should be shared in half – but this “additional obligation” is open from 2024.
NRW Transport Minister Krischer said that the states were prepared to pay half of the additional costs. However, there has been no clear signal from the federal government so far. The Association of German Transport Companies expects additional costs for the Deutschlandticket to amount to 1.1 billion euros in 2024.
Accusation of the federal government: “blockade attitude”
Krischer accused the federal government of adopting a “blockade stance”. If there was no agreement, the Green politician warned against increasing the price of the ticket as a possible consequence. But he thinks that is politically fatal. If the ticket became ten euros more expensive, consumers would get out again.
The special conference will take place two weeks before the regular autumn meeting of the Conference of Transport Ministers (VMK), which is scheduled for October 11th and 12th in Cologne.
Source: Stern
