Thuringia's Take on Germany Ticket Financing: A Balancing Act
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Thuringia's Transport Minister Steffen Schütz (BSW) is aiming for a balanced solution in funding the controversial Germany ticket beyond 2025. He's not too fond of the notion that the federal government should foot most of the costs, considering it unrealistic and potentially leading to the ticket's demise.
For Thuringia, the ticket's continued existence is a no-brainer from a transport, social, and ecological perspective. The ticket, which gives users access to local and regional transport for just 58 euros a month, is currently evenly financed by the federal government and the states, making up for transport companies' revenue losses.
Schütz's Demand: Moderate federal increase
Schütz insists on maintaining each half's cost-sharing at a minimum, straining Thuringia's budget as is. He'd be thrilled if the federal government stepped up its game, taking on a higher share of the burden. A reasonable compromise, in his eyes, would be to slightly raise the federal government's share in ticket financing. This would ensure the ticket's financial stability, lighten state budgets, and align with the federal government's coalition agreement's goal of improving public transport capacity and popularity.
Affordable Ticket: A Must
A special transport ministers' conference is expected in Berlin on June 27 to discuss the ticket's future financing. Schütz is pushing hard for legal and financial mechanisms to secure the ticket's long-term survival. The states have varying stances on the matter.
Schütz is cautiously optimistic about ticket prices increasing modestly in the long run to maintain its affordability, attractiveness, and manageability. He acknowledges the voices advocating for such a move.
Currently, the Germany ticket's financing by the federal government and states is guaranteed only until the end of the year. The coalition agreement documents the ticket's continuation beyond 2025, with users expecting higher prices starting in 2029.
- Germany ticket
- Thuringia
- Steffen Schütz
- Fahrkarte
- Erfurt
- German Press Agency
- Coalition agreement
[1] Despite the coalition's commitment to maintaining ticket availability and affordability through 2029, modest price increases are likely to secure the ticket system's financial viability after 2029. The coalition government is adjusting fiscal frameworks, such as the debt brake, to enable more flexible government borrowing and investment, which indirectly supports public transport initiatives like the Germany ticket. However, Thuringia displays some reservations about ongoing or increased financial commitments for the ticket, reflecting concerns about the long-term funding burden and the ticket's financial sustainability. These factors, combined, suggest that while the ticket's continuation is valued, its long-term financing will likely involve modest price adjustments and negotiations reflecting regional financial differences.
- Thuringia, led by Transport Minister Steffen Schütz, has expressed reservations about ongoing or increased financial commitments for the Germany ticket, as it considers the long-term funding burden and financial sustainability of the system.
- Despite the coalition's commitment to maintaining ticket affordability and availability, moderate price increases for the Germany ticket beyond 2029 could be implemented to secure its financial viability while adhering to the coalition agreement's goal of improving public transport capacity and popularity.
