Price should remain stable
Scholz promises to finance the Deutschlandticket
03.07.2024, 18:28
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Millions of people use the Deutschlandticket for 49 euros a month. But the continued financing is unclear. Chancellor Scholz is now promising the states planning security for the current year. To this end, he wants to change a corresponding law.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has made promises to the states to finance the Deutschlandticket this year. The SPD politician called the Deutschlandticket a great achievement in a government survey in the Bundestag. He can assure them that the federal government will create the financial framework, as discussed with the state premiers. A necessary amendment to the regionalization law will be made.
In a paper adopted in April by the Conference of Transport Ministers of the States, it was stated that a transfer of funds not used in 2023 to 2024, agreed by Scholz and the states in November, was an essential prerequisite for the price of the Deutschlandticket to remain stable at 49 euros per month this year. This requires an amendment to the Regionalization Act.
The chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers, NRW State Minister Oliver Krischer, called for a quick change in the law. Otherwise, the Deutschlandticket for local and regional transport could become significantly more expensive this year. There could be a special conference of transport ministers on Monday.
Scholz: Ticket hopefully usable for “many years”
Scholz said that the Deutschlandticket would hopefully be available in Germany for “many years”. Over the years, “there will always be different prices”. But now the option that had been announced will be implemented, he said, with a view to 2024.
The Deutschlandticket, currently priced at 49 euros per month, can be used nationwide in local and regional transport since May 1, 2023. A good eleven million tickets were recently sold each month. The money from the federal and state governments is needed to compensate for lost revenue for transport companies due to the cheaper ticket compared to previous offers.
Green Party transport politician Nyke Slawik said: “We welcome the fact that the Chancellor has promised that the price of the Deutschlandticket will remain stable this year and that the amendment to the regionalisation law agreed with the states will be put into action. This means planning security for millions of people who use it every day.” This is an important signal, especially given the current difficult budget situation.