Marcel Fratzscher, president of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), voiced strong criticism regarding potential increases to the commuter allowance, especially in light of rising fuel costs. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition), he stated that raising the commuter allowance would be an inefficient and costly measure that would exacerbate social inequalities. He added that for the majority of people, the high and increasing cost of groceries is far more pressing than the price of gasoline. He urged the federal government to prioritize reducing energy consumption derived from fossil fuels and to offer relief to those segments of the population that are in the most urgent need of support.
The German Environment Agency (DUH) also sharply criticized these proposals, describing a higher commuter allowance as a “tax gift for the better-off”. Robin Kulpa, head of transport and air quality at the DUH, told the “Rheinische Post” that individuals earning below the tax-free threshold do not benefit from the current commuter allowance system. Instead, Kulpa advocated for maintaining an affordable €29 Deutschlandticket for the coming months and called for the introduction of speed limits.
Meanwhile, according to a report from the “Bild” newspaper, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has indicated openness to a noticeable increase in the commuter allowance, raising it from the current 38 cents up to potentially 45 cents per kilometer.
