Escalating disagreement over 58 euro Germany ticket: States and Federal Republic share their perspectives
Rewriting the Article:
Why it's a hot potato: The Germany ticket could soon be in jeopardy due to disagreements between the federal government and the states over who should foot the bill.
- Over 13.5 million people benefit from the Germany ticket, making it a success of the coalition government. The new government aims to keep the ticket alive until 2029, pricing it at 58 euros.
- However, this financing commitment puts the states in a tight spot, as they're already grappling with budget deficits.
- The main question lingering is which party should chip in how much. A breakdown in the talks could spell doom for the ticket.
How the ticket is bankrolled now: Currently, the federal government and the states each contribute 1.5 billion euros annually to fund the ticket.
- This allocation is meant to offset losses suffered by transport companies.
- However, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) cautions that the three billion euros won't be enough in the long run.
The current situation: A BUSINESS INSIDER survey of transport ministries in the federal states reveals that the states want the federal government to take a more active role in financing. The states are happy to be part of the funding, but they're not willing to take on a bigger share.
The States' Requests: NRW Issues a Warning
What exactly are the states demanding? Thuringia, for instance, is hoping for "full funding of the Germany ticket by the federal government."
- Given that this demand is considered unrealistic, Thuringia is willing to settle for a "moderate" increase in the federal government's share.
- The funding's security is crucial. "A withdrawal of the states from the funding would probably mean the end of the ticket," says Thuringia's infrastructure minister Steffen Schütz (BSW).
- NRW transport minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) cautions against placing an undue burden on the states. "Anyone wanting to raise the commuter allowance and lower the catering tax must not question the funding of the Germany ticket," he states.
- Saxony-Anhalt presents a proposal to index the price of the Germany ticket, adjusting it based on increases in the transport sector.
- Saxony rejects a higher state share: "A higher state share isn't feasible in Saxony given the precarious budget situation."
- Only Lower Saxony considers "a 50-50 cost-sharing arrangement as fair," according to the transport ministry.
The Federal Government's Response: Bracing for Backlash
The federal government's reaction: There's a backlash brewing at the Federal Ministry of Transport.
- Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) has made it clear that the federal government won't shoulder more than half of the costs.
- This stance could lead to a stalemate in the negotiations.
Outlook: The negotiations loom large for the future of the Germany ticket.
- The minister-presidents of the states are set to discuss the Germany ticket's future at a special transport ministers' conference on June 27.
- By October, final clarity should be announced, Federal Transport Minister Schnieder says.
- What is the issue at hand? The states are requesting a larger contribution from the federal government in financing the Germany ticket, with Thuringia pushing for full funding by the federal government.
- What is the federal government's stance? The federal government, led by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder, has made it clear that they won't shoulder more than half of the costs.
- What is the potential impact of a funding disagreement? A breakdown in the talks could result in the withdrawal of states from the funding, potentially leading to the end of the Germany ticket.
