German railway
Germany ticket holders must agree to the price increase
From January onwards, the Germany ticket for public transport will be more expensive. Anyone who has booked the subscription through Deutsche Bahn and wants to keep it despite the higher price must agree – and soon.
Anyone who has booked the Germany ticket through Deutsche Bahn (DB) and wants to continue using it despite the price increase in January must agree to the surcharge by Saturday at the latest. “If subscribers do not agree to the politically decided price increase or do not re-register on time, DB will unfortunately have to cancel the Deutschland Ticket subscription with effect from December 31, 2024,” said the federally owned company.
The subscription for nationwide local and regional transport will be nine euros more expensive in the new year and will then cost 58 euros per month instead of 49 euros. It can still be canceled on a monthly basis.
Companies deal with price increases in different ways
However, not all subscribers have to actively agree to the price increase. Many people did not take out their subscription with Deutsche Bahn, but rather with one of the many transport associations or transport companies. Each and every one of them handles the transition differently.
For most participating companies, the subscription simply continues at the higher price if it is not canceled in time for the New Year. With other providers, such as the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), customers have to object if they do not want to continue. As a rule, the owners are informed by the respective company if they need to take any action.
The majority of subscribers who booked the ticket through the railway have already agreed to the price increase, the railway also announced. The company did not provide exact figures. Anyone who is canceled due to the lack of commitment, or who decides at short notice to continue, can reactivate the subscription via the app until December 31st.
VDV: So far no major wave of cancellations due to price increases
The railway expressed its confidence that the subscription would remain an attractive offer even at the higher price. Almost all regular local transport subscriptions are more expensive than the Deutschland Ticket, which is also more flexible and valid nationwide, it was said.
According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), it is not yet possible to predict how the higher price will generally affect demand for the Germany ticket. According to the association, it has not yet noticed any waves of dismissals. The number of owners remains constant at around 13.1 million.
dpa
Source: Stern
