Utilization increases by 18 percent
Deutschlandticket fills Deutsche Bahn’s regional trains
November 11, 2023, 2:21 a.m
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According to data from Deutsche Bahn, half of local transport passengers now have the 49 euro ticket. The capacity utilization of the trains has increased by almost a fifth. The company said the fact that the price could rise in May 2024 was a decision by the federal and state governments.
The Deutschlandticket has given Deutsche Bahn a significant increase in regional transport. “Since the introduction of the Deutschlandticket, we have consistently had more passengers on our trains, from May to now there have been 18 percent more,” said DB board member Evelyn Palla, who is responsible for regional transport, to the partner newspapers of the Neue Berliner Editorial Society.
“More than 50 percent of DB Regio passengers are Germany card holders,” said Palla. This makes the Deutschlandticket “a really big success”. Local public transport will be affordable and easy thanks to the nationwide 49-euro bus and train ticket. Passengers could board any regional train, S-Bahn, subway or bus. “This has never happened in Germany. It is a revolution in public transport,” said Palla.
On Monday, the Prime Minister and Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to continue the ticket in 2024. The transport ministers of the federal states are now discussing permanent financing. A possible price increase from May 2024 is also under discussion. Palla praised the decisions. “The constant discussions about continuation are damaging for public transport. For consumers, planning is extremely important,” said the manager. “Whether the price will ultimately be increased will be decided by the federal and state governments, not Deutsche Bahn.”
Experts against price increases
Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing had called on the states to offset the rising costs by cutting bureaucracy. There are more than 60 transport associations in Germany. In some regions, this fragmentation has led to complicated tariff structures in the past, which are actually history thanks to the Deutschlandticket. The FDP politician Wissing advocates reducing the number of transport associations in order to create more efficient structures and save money on administrative tasks. The states, on the other hand, are demanding that the federal government contribute to the additional costs.
Transport researchers are critical of the debate about price increases given the success of the Deutschlandticket. “According to our calculations, around 10 million people are currently using the Deutschlandticket. If the price rises to 59 euros, perhaps six to seven million would remain,” said Andreas Knie from the Science Center for Social Research in Berlin on Wednesday. “The ticket should actually cost 29 euros, then you would have a lot more people on the trains.” Actually, the ticket is already too expensive, said Knie and called on the states to reform their associations.