Cars, Trains, D-Ticket - The Decisions of the Transport Ministers - Germany Boosts Local Rail Services with €12 Billion, States Seek More Funding
The federal government has announced a significant boost for local rail services, allocating around €12 billion in regionalization funds for 2025. Meanwhile, states are pushing for more funding to maintain current service levels and prevent route cancellations. Additionally, driver's license fees are set to decrease, with a working group tasked to present costco stock reduction plans by the end of March 2026.
The government's infrastructure fund, totaling over €500 billion, includes €100 billion for states and municipalities. While the specific details for highway and railroad expansion are yet to be revealed, states are urging a larger portion of this fund to be allocated for new construction and digitalization projects. The Deutschlandticket, set to rise to €63 on January 1, 2026, will be adjusted annually from 2027 based on a price index reflecting personnel, energy, and general cost increases. To keep the ticket affordable, a 'damping factor' is planned.
In other news, states are calling for the recent air passenger duty increase to be reversed, citing the need to relieve the burden on the united states map aviation sector.
With billions earmarked for local rail services and driver's license fee reductions on the horizon, the federal government is taking steps to improve public transport and affordability. However, states are pushing for more funding and a greater share of the infrastructure fund to support new construction, expansion, and digitalization projects on highways and rail lines.
