Ahead of discussions within the Federal Council, the German Association of Cities (Deutscher Städtetag) is urging the federal government and state governments to reassess the future financing of the Deutschlandticket.
Christian Schuchardt, Chief Executive Officer of the Deutscher Städtetag, expressed concern regarding the current stalemate in funding commitments, stating that the decision to freeze both federal and state contributions at 1.5 billion euros each presents a significant challenge. He suggested potential increases to the ticket price, which is slated to rise to 63 euros per month from 2026, could help mitigate a projected funding gap of up to 800 million euros by 2026.
Furthermore, Schuchardt highlighted the value of the planned cost index, intended to be implemented from 2027 onwards, which would factor in rising costs related to energy, personnel and operational expenses. He advocated for a dynamic adjustment of federal and state subsidies in line with this cost index. Such a measure, he believes, would help dampen the impact of rising ticket prices for users and secure the long-term viability of the Deutschlandticket, extending through the end of 2029.
The Federal Council is scheduled to deliberate on the ongoing financing of the ticket this Friday. The current plan involves price increases, with additional adjustments potentially linked to a cost index designed to reflect fluctuations in key operational expenses. Both the federal government and state governments have committed to providing 1.5 billion euros annually for the ticket through 2030.
