Germany's Transport Tangle: The "49-Euro Ticket" Debacle Spreads
Amidst the chaos surrounding the "Deutschlandticket" (49-euro ticket) in the German district of Stendal, other regions are contemplating following suit, potentially leading to a diverse ticketing landscape across the country. However, most federal states are relying on transport associations, which are bound to the ticket by resolutions, to honor its validity.
In Stendal, the district council declined to approve a resolution recognizing the "Deutschlandticket". This decision means that the ticket will cease to be valid on buses from January 1, incurring additional costs of 40,000 euros for the first two months of the year. A special district council meeting is scheduled for next week to review the recognition of the ticket again, with the state government pledging an additional 10 million euros in funding.
A Thuringia-specific instance saw the state enshrining the Deutschlandticket in its public transport law, ensuring fair compensation for transport companies for associated disadvantages. In contrast, states like Hesse, Brandenburg, and Schleswig-Holstein follow a network tariff, which includes the Deutschlandticket, making it valid across all public transport in those regions.
In Baden-Württemberg and Saxony, transport ministries are reviewing collective bargaining orders regarding the Deutschlandticket. If districts or cities opt out of using the ticket, the responsibility for financing the associated costs would fall on the federal and state governments, as per the German Association of Districts' demands.
Recently, transport ministers in the federal states were tasked with presenting a concept for further financing of the Deutschlandticket before May 1, 2024, with a possible mechanism for updating the ticket price, potentially including an increase. The German Association of Transport Companies (VDV) has called for legal and financial security, while the Pro-Rail Alliance demanded financial security for associated costs.
Key Insights
- Funding and Compensation: The federal and state governments contribute annually to compensate transport companies for losing revenue due to the Deutschlandticket. If additional costs arise, they are divided between both levels of government.
- District and Transport Association Resistance: Organizations like the Stendal district and Munich MVV have protested, resulting in delays or reversals of decisions regarding the Deutschlandticket's implementation.
- Subsidies and Discounts for Residents and Employees: Cities like Tübingen and Stuttgart offer subsidies for the ticket, while employers and students may benefit from discounted rates.
- Long-Term Financing Concerns: To ensure the sustainability of the ticket, the federal and state governments must commit sufficient funds annually, minimizing the likelihood of future price increases that could lead to cancellations.
- Political Discussions and Future Challenges: Political parties like the Greens and SPD support moderate price increases and long-term security, while the CDU and CSU have not made specific commitments regarding the Deutschlandticket in their election manifestos.
Sources
- "Fahrtkosten-Deutschlandticket: Erste Ergebnisse nach Neun Monaten"
- "Fahrtkosten-Deutschlandticket: Erste Ergebnisse nach Neun Monaten"
- "Deutschlandticket: Warum es nicht ganz so einfach ist"
- "Bundeswahlkampf 2021: Die CDU/CSU-Wahlkampfgemeinschaft"
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