Facing declining usage, the Green Party parliamentary group leader, Katharina Dröge, has renewed calls for a reduction in the price of the Deutschlandticket. Speaking to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” on Friday, Dröge stated that the ticket should revert to a price of 49 euros and remain at that level permanently.
She emphasized that the current price point has become prohibitive for many young people. Dröge highlighted the initial success of the ticket in making public transport affordable for apprentices, students and those with lower incomes.
Dröge criticized the current government, comprising the Union and SPD, for policies she believes are jeopardizing the future of the Deutschlandticket. She stressed the urgent need for a reliable, long-term funding strategy coupled with a decrease in price. “Public transport is climate-friendly and for everyone. It must be accessible to all” she asserted.
Sales figures for the Deutschlandticket have fallen since the price increase to 58 euros in January. A market research report by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) and Deutsche Bahn indicates that 13.4 million tickets were sold in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease from the 14.2 million sold in the fourth quarter of 2024. The decline was particularly significant among young people aged 14 to 29, with sales dropping by over a third (36 percent) in this demographic.
