Federal Government's ticket controversy escalates as German states express criticism
The federal government's goal is to provide long-term planning security for both public transport customers and transport companies, but a proposed price increase for the Germany ticket has sparked debate among transport ministers.
Introduced in May 2023, the Germany ticket enables nationwide travel in public regional and local transport, with around 14 million people using it. However, a high-quality and price-attractive public transport system requires a clear financing perspective. A significant price increase could risk making the ticket less attractive for many customers.
The draft resolution for the transport ministers' conference (VMK) proposes a fixed price mechanism for the Germany ticket, effective from 2027. The price of the ticket, currently set at 58 euros per month, may increase to 62-64 euros per month in the coming year.
Rhineland-Palatinate's transport minister, Katrin Eder (Greens), suggests the price increase is necessary due to the federal government not keeping its promises from the coalition agreement. The agreement states that the share of user financing for the Germany ticket should be gradually and socially compatible increased from 2029.
However, North Rhine-Westphalia's transport minister, Oliver Krischer (Greens), accuses the federal government, specifically Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), of not being willing to cover a financing gap for the Germany ticket. Without a dynamic increase in funding from the federal government and the states, a financing gap of 800 million euros is expected by 2026. So far, the federal government has only promised this for 2026.
Brandenburg's transport minister, Detlef Tabbert, emphasizes the need for a reliable financial foundation for the Germany ticket to avoid annual price discussions. Saarland's transport minister, Petra Berg, has proposed a maximum price of 62 euros per month for the Germany ticket.
The draft resolution suggests that the countries might provide 1.5 billion euros annually for the Germany ticket from 2026 to 2030, but only if the federal government also secures federal funds of at least 1.5 billion euros per year for the same period. The cost index will be determined after consultation with the industry, reflecting personnel and energy costs.
The price adjustment will be based on this cost index, to be developed by the transport ministers' conference by autumn 2025. The draft resolution for the VMK does not mention a specific price increase for 2026. The federal government in question is the current German government, which has in the past only promised to provide 1.5 billion euros for the year 2026 to finance the Deutschlandticket but has not committed to funding for the years 2027 to 2030.
The debate over the Germany ticket's price increase is ongoing, with ministers calling for a reliable financial foundation to ensure the ticket's long-term success and affordability for customers. The final decision will be made at the transport ministers' conference.
