Politics leaves important questions unanswered
The federal and state governments have agreed that the so-called Deutschlandticket for 49 euros is a done deal. This means that the successor to the successful 9-euro ticket is more expensive than the original, but should offer the same options. But one of the most important questions remains open.
49-euro ticket is coming: the federal and state governments find a common path
The 49-euro ticket is a done deal. In another joint meeting, the federal and state governments have agreed on the successor to the successful 9-euro ticket. Previously there had still been discrepancies about the financing, which have now been largely cleared up. This clears the way for the so-called Deutschlandticket.
As with the predecessor, the ticket is for 49 euros valid throughout Germany in public transport. This covers trams and buses as well as local and regional trains. It is still unclear whether long-distance buses will also be included, as the Flixbus boss demands. The 49-euro ticket will also be digital, so that it can be saved on the smartphone and shown there.
When it comes to the price, both sides have agreed on the previously targeted EUR 49 per month – at least for the time being. The ticket is offered as an annual subscription, but it should be possible to cancel it on a monthly basis. However, the monthly price may increase in the future, as North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) explained. A price adjustment could become necessary because not all states are sure that the funds allocated by the federal government will be sufficient in the future (source: t-online).
The financing of the Deutschlandticket had previously been on shaky ground. The federal states had tied their consent to sharing the costs to an increase in regionalization funds. These now amount to 1 billion euros per year and are to be increased by 3 percent annually, instead of the previous 1.8 percent. Alternative offers from individual countries, such as those already introduced or planned in Berlin and Lower Saxony, are still possible despite the 49-euro ticket.
What was possible with the 9-euro ticket should also be possible with the Deutschlandticket. Only the price goes up:
The start time for the Deutschlandticket remains unclear
However, the important question of the starting point has not yet been clarified: According to Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing, the 49-euro ticket will be introduced as soon as possible. Ideally, it should be ready by January 1, 2023. But many have doubts about this schedule. Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Transport, Winfried Hermann, is more likely to expect a start from March or April 2023. In Bavaria, too, a later start was assumed even before the most recent conference.
