Guaranteed Germany's 2026 Ticket: At What Financial Cost?
The future of Germany's Deutschlandticket beyond 2025 is being shaped by a collaborative effort between the federal government and the states to secure reliable, long-term funding structures. This endeavour involves mobilising all available financial resources and potentially enabling municipalities to introduce new local funding mechanisms, such as levies on car owners, local residents, or businesses [1].
The key components of this financing strategy include the continuation of the Deutschlandticket with stable financing, affordable mobility measures, municipal empowerment to generate additional revenue, and a consideration of international examples for cost-sharing [1]. For instance, employer contributions fund nearly half of public transport in the Paris region, and this model could potentially be adopted in Germany.
However, the debate between the federal government and the states centres on finding sustainable revenue sources and deciding the share of financial responsibility each level of government should bear. There is a consensus that relying solely on federal budgets is insufficient, and new funding models, potentially involving multiple stakeholders and innovative local financing, are essential to maintain the ticket's affordability while covering rising costs for transport companies [1].
As of now, there are no concrete legislative amendments specific to post-2025 financing beyond these general plans and proposals. However, the political intention and discussion are focused on establishing these new and diversified funding frameworks to sustainably support and expand the Deutschlandticket program beyond 2025 [1].
The Deutschlandticket may face further price increases due to unresolved financing issues. Currently, the financing of the ticket is split equally between ticket revenues and equalisation payments from the federal government and the states. A long-term and reliable financing of the ticket is necessary to avoid potential issues at the end of the year, according to Lower Saxony's Minister of Transport, Grant Hendrik Tonne [1].
The ticket price will remain stable until 2029, with users expected to pay more from 2029. The transport industry sees great potential in the job ticket, a discounted subscription for employees, which is currently stagnating at around 20 percent of all sold Germany tickets. However, the 1.5 billion euros from the federal government are not enough to keep the price of the ticket stable in 2026 [1].
Industry associations such as the Association of German Transport Companies and the Federal Association of Public Transport warn that if the federal government and the states do not agree on adequate financing, a further price increase for the ticket is inevitable. The SPD parliamentary group's transport policy spokeswoman, Isabel Cademartori, suggests that making the ticket more attractive for customers could help reduce the financing gap [1].
Negotiations between the federal government and the states centre on how the expected additional costs for transport companies will be covered beyond the annual 3 billion euros financed by the federal government and the states. The SPD chairman is said to be responsible if the price for passengers has to increase by several euros, according to Bavaria's Minister of Transport, Christian Bernreiter [1].
Employers can make the ticket available to their employees as a job ticket, with a maximum cost of 40.60 euros per month if they contribute at least 25 percent of the purchase price. The Greens demand a price guarantee for the ticket, stating that 58 euros is too expensive. The discount for the ticket job should be extended, as well as an offer for trainees, according to Cademartori [1].
Many states demand that the federal government should bear the additional costs alone, which the federal government rejects. A financial gap is expected in the ticket for the coming year, requiring an additional 1.5 billion euros from the federal government [1]. Industry associations such as the Association of German Transport Companies and the German Association of Towns and Cities speak of an imminent financing gap.
In conclusion, the future of the Deutschlandticket beyond 2025 relies on a cooperative approach between the federal government and the states to secure sustainable funding. This involves exploring innovative local financing methods, considering international examples, and negotiating the share of financial responsibility between the levels of government. The ticket's price stability and affordability are at stake, and a resolution to the financing issues is crucial to prevent further price increases for passengers.
EC countries could consider adopting the model of employer contributions funding a significant portion of public transport, as seen in the Paris region, to support vocational training and business opportunities within their own jurisdictions. To maintain the affordability of such initiatives, stable and sustainable finance structures need to be in place, as demonstrated in the ongoing collaboration between the German federal government and the states to secure funding for the Deutschlandticket beyond 2025.
