Increased costs for public transportation in Berlin and Brandenburg's bus and train services
In several European cities and regions, public transport prices are set to increase from January 2023. This trend is not exclusive to Berlin and Brandenburg, as cities such as Hamburg are also facing price hikes due to ongoing measures like rent caps and growing infrastructure challenges.
In Hamburg, the single-journey ticket currently costs 3.90 euros, but with a 7% discount for online purchases. From January, the price will rise by 20 cents, setting the new cost at 4.00 euros. Similarly, in Cologne, the single-journey ticket for the city area costs 3.70 euros, but will increase to 3.80 euros from January.
Vienna and Barcelona are also seeing price increases. As of January 1st, a single-journey ticket in Vienna will cost 3.20 euros (online 3.00 euros), an increase of 10 cents, while in Barcelona, the cost remains at 2.65 euros.
Berlin's Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) is also increasing public transport prices by an average of 6% from January. This means the four-journey ticket for the Berlin tariff area AB will cost 12.40 euros, 80 cents more than currently. The single journey in the tariff area ABC will be 30 cents more expensive and cost 5.00 euros from January.
The tariff stage BC, which covers the Berlin outskirts and the districts outside the ring, will no longer be offered. Additionally, the 7-day card, the annual cards for all target groups, as well as the 10 a.m. card in Berlin and the 9 a.m. cards in the cities of Potsdam, Brandenburg an der Havel, and Frankfurt (Oder), will also be discontinued.
The VBB-Abo 65Plus, a fare offer for seniors, will no longer be available. This decision, along with the discontinuation of several other fare offers, has been attributed to the introduction of the Germany ticket, which has led to a decrease in revenue for transport companies and associations nationwide.
Elsewhere in Europe, cities like Rome and Paris are also experiencing price increases. A single journey in Rome usually costs 1.50 euros, while in Paris, the cost is 2.50 euros. In London, a single journey on the Underground costs from 2.90 euros.
Inflation for passenger transport on roads has been significant, with the Federal Statistical Office reporting a nearly 35 percent increase between the end of 2015 and August 2025. Fuel and lubricant costs for vehicles have also increased significantly, contributing to the rising costs of public transport.
It's important to note that these price increases come amidst growing concerns about affordability, particularly in cities where rent caps are in place. Hamburg, for example, has extended its rent cap regulation affecting transport affordability until the end of 2025.
As cities across Europe navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how these price increases will impact commuters and the wider public transport landscape.
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