Prepare for Higher Public Transport Costs Starting January 1
Get ready to dig deeper into your pockets, as public transport prices are set to ascend in numerous regions across Germany from the start of the new year. Large transport associations, notably, are increasing their ticket prices yet again, justifying the increase due to elevated costs for energy and personnel.
Several major transport associations, including the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB), Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR), and Münchner Verkehrsverbund (MVV), have announced fare increases starting January 1, 2023. Other associations, such as the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS), have already boosted their prices this year, while others are yet to decide in the spring.
The Augsburg Transport and Tariff Association (AVV), in particular, will see significant price surges of 12.7%. A single ticket will cost an average of 1.90 euros after the increase, a price that is moderately affordable compared to other regions. It's challenging to make direct comparisons between fares due to varying network sizes and densities.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, ticket prices will increase significantly in both the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS) by 10.4% and the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) by 9.4%. The VRR will see the cheapest single-trip ticket cost 3.30 euros, while the priciest will reach 17.90 euros.
The justification for these fare hikes perpetually revolves around increased costs for personnel and energy. For instance, the Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT) attributes its dire situation to exorbitant costs. While price adjustments won't be necessary in January for the VMT due to their traditional cut-off date of August 1, they acknowledge the inevitable challenges that lay ahead.
Similar price increases are anticipated in Berlin and Brandenburg, averaging around 6.7%, just 8 months after the last increase. The VBB, too, has returned to its usual routine, citing personnel, fuel, and energy costs as the primary reasons for the increase. Greater Hannover Transport (GVH) is also implementing ticket price hikes, increasing fares by an average of 7% as of January 1, 2023.
Surprisingly, the MVV fare increases are significantly lower, with an average price adjustment of 4.3%, which they dub as one of the lowest fare increases in Germany for that year. The MVV suggests that up to 10.8% fare increases would be required to compensate the transportation companies for increased costs.
However, the Deutschlandticket's price remains the same for now. Public transport in Germany is financed through both regionalization funds and passenger revenue. The current Deutschlandticket subscription, which allows unlimited local and regional travel across Germany, costs 49 euros per month. The subscription can be canceled monthly, and a price increase is unlikely until 2025, although it's not entirely out of the question given the cost incurred by federal and state governments due to the Deutschlandticket.
Context Limits
In light of these fare increases, it's essential to be mindful of public transport cost adjustments when planning trips, particularly in Berlin, Brandenburg, and other affected regions. Consider alternative transportation options, such as local transport passes or exploration of walking or biking routes within the city, to minimize expenses.
Sources:
Deutsche Presse-Agentur:
Enrichment Data:
The Deutschlandticket price increases to 58 euros per month beginning January 1, 2025[2][3][5]
This price increase affects all subscribers of the Deutschlandticket, allowing unlimited public and regional transport travel across Germany's 16 federal states.
