Affordable pricing for Germany's transportation tickets maintained, according to Lower Saxony's Transport Minister
In a significant development, Lower Saxony's Transport Minister, Grant Hendrik Tonne, has been advocating for the affordability of the Germany ticket at a special conference in Munich. The Germany ticket, introduced in May 2023, grants unlimited travel on local public transport across Germany for a monthly fee.
Currently priced at 58 euros, the success of the ticket, according to Tonne, depends on its price. He emphasised that relatively little money could help many people with affordable mobility, implying a need for lower ticket prices.
Tonne has been lobbying for a collective contribution from other states and the federal government to help keep the Germany ticket affordable. He criticised a perceived game of pass the buck between the federal government and the states regarding the funding of the ticket.
The ongoing negotiation is part of broader talks to continue the subsidized ticket beyond 2025. The current collaboration involves the federal government (Bund) and the states' (Länder) transport ministers. The Länder, including Lower Saxony, insist on maintaining their pledged subsidies of 1.5 billion euros annually but expect the federal government to cover any additional costs.
However, no consensus has been reached on this matter. Tonne expressed frustration over the investment in modern infrastructure, new roads, and rails, but lack of funds for the Germany ticket. He questioned why billions are being invested in infrastructure but not in affordable mobility.
Tonne's statements indicate that he is willing to partly compensate for the additional costs with state funds. However, he also noted that this can only work if other states and the federal government also contribute. He warned against a significant increase in the price of the Germany ticket, fearing that political infighting could cause the success of the Germany ticket to fail.
The Germany ticket, used by around 14 million people, is currently under discussion among transport ministers. The price of the ticket was increased from 49 to 58 euros at the beginning of the year, but Tonne continues to emphasise the importance of keeping it affordable for the majority of the population.
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