The German Transport Association (VDV) has criticized the federal government's financing plan for the Deutschlandticket. "For the long-term success of the Deutschlandticket among passengers and the industry," the VDV declared on Wednesday. The amount earmarked for next year for compensatory measures by the federal and state governments is "clearly no longer sufficient."
The federal government has earmarked €1.5 billion for the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) in its budget for next year. As part of an agreement with the states, they will also contribute €1.5 billion. This corresponds to the amount the federal and state governments already paid to compensate for lost revenue to public transport companies between 2023 and 2025.
The financing of the Deutschlandticket has been the subject of ongoing controversy since its introduction in May 2023. Neither the federal government nor the states are willing to cover expenses exceeding the three billion euros. According to the VDV (German Transport Association), this creates a "foreseeable funding gap" that must be closed "this year." Otherwise, transport companies would have to reduce their services.
In their coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed to continue the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket). Price increases will not occur until 2029. The ticket currently costs €58 per month, and the number of users in January was 13.4 million. With the price increase from €49 to €58 at the turn of the year, the number of subscriptions fell by almost one million.
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