What will Germany’s likely new government do about the ‘Deutschlandticket’?

In an initial policy paper released at the start of March, the negotiating parties had good news for avid public transport users: Germany’s Deutschlandticket was to be continued.

“We are discussing the continuation of the Deutschlandticket and the expansion and modernisation of local public transport,” the exploratory paper read.

Unsurprisingly for a document that had been produced in a matter of days, however, the draft was thin on details. Fleshing them out was the task of a working group on transport, infrastructure and housing, which passed its recommendations onto senior party leaders on Monday. 

According to DPA, which has seen the proposals, the Deutschlandticket could be continued at a price of €58 per month through 2025 and 2026. The cost would then be increased “gradually and in a socially responsible manner” from 2027.

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To resolve the endless debates over financing, the money stumped up by customers – as well as by states and federal governments – would be calculated according to a strict formula. 

This could lead to significantly more costs for ticket users.  

Uncertain future

Though the working group has put its recommendations forward, it’s still unclear whether these proposals will be adopted in a future coalition pact. 

Instead, a steering committee of party leaders will look at the plans and make a final call in the coming weeks. As part of their assessment, the negotiators will also look at budget constraints.

Despite the parties’ pledge to keep the travel pass, the financing of the Deutschlandticket hangs in the balance after the end of the year.

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Currently, states and the federal government have both pledged a €1.5 billion subsidy for transport companies until the end of the year, laid down in the Regionalisation Act. In order to continue the ticket past 2025, however, another amendment would have to be made.

At the start of the year, the price of the ticket was increased from its initial €49 per month to €58 per month in order to assuage funding concerns.

READ ALSO: What happens next in Germany’s rapid-fire coalition talks?

Commenting on the potential price increase, Greenpeace transport expert Lena Donat said signalling the next price rise after January’s hike could “offend people” and jeopardise the popularity of the scheme.

“It’s good that the CDU/CSU and SPD have realised what a treasure they have inherited with the Deutschlandticket and want to continue it,” Donat explained. Instead of higher prices, Greenpeace would like to see an expansion of the scheme to include a social ticket for people on low incomes. 

A regional Deutsche Bahn train stops on the platform in Braunschweig. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Swen Pförtner

Clashing perspectives

According to DPA, clashing perspectives on the ticket were fighting against each other in the transport and infrastructure working group last week.

The centre-left SPD – who helped introduce the ticket – have been passionate proponents of keeping the scheme, describing it as a “huge success”. Negotiators from the party have apparently been pushing to maintain the offer at its current price.

However, politicians from centre-right CDU and CSU parties have generally been more sceptical.

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Ulrich Lange, deputy leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, has previously spoken out in favour in replacing the ticket with “something further or new” and said cars would remain the primary mode of transport in the countryside.

READ ALSO: Will Germany’s ‘Deutschlandticket’ survive after the elections?

Introduced in May 2023, the Deutschlandticket offers unlimited travel around the country for a fixed monthly price. With it, subscribers can travel on local and regional public transport anywhere in Germany, but not on intercity trains.