"49-euro ticket" - Association of Cities impatient: money for the Deutschlandticket is missing
In the face of uncertain financing for Germany tickets, the Bavarian City Conference is growing increasingly impatient. The chairman Markus Pannermayr (CSU) sees a black future for the offer if a solid financing solution is not found: "If there is no secure financing, then the Germany ticket cannot continue to be given nationwide," Pannermayr said in Munich.
In the short term, the 49-euro ticket could become more expensive without a quick confirmation from the Federal Government, warned the mayor of Straubing. The discounted Germany ticket for regional transport with bus and train has been available since May 1st of the previous year. Since revenues do not cover expenses, the Federal Government and the States had each promised 1.5 billion Euros in subsidies for this year.
This is also expected to be insufficient. Therefore, the Federal Government had promised in the fall of the previous year that unused funds from that year could be carried over to this year. However, this has not been implemented yet. "The financing for the Germany ticket is not secured, not even for this year," said Pannermayr. "The Federal Government has not even kept its promise to transfer the remaining funds from 2023 to 2024."
Special conference of transport ministers on Monday
Therefore, the transport ministers of the States want to meet for a special conference on Monday. In addition, the financing for the coming year is still unclear. A third factor is the high investment requirements for infrastructure improvement.
The offer and tariff in public transport should invite passengers to switch from car to train and bus, said Pannermayr. "The reality is different: passengers complain about full, delayed, canceled or missing trains and buses." Urgent investments in infrastructure and punctuality are not in sight. "A fair financing concept must provide planning security for years."
- The Bavarian City Conference, held in Munich, is closely associated with the ongoing debate about the financing of Germany tickets.
- Despite the availability of the discounted Germany ticket in Bavaria since May 1 of the previous year, challenges in securing funding persist, impacting the railroad system across the region.
- The Association of Cities in Germany, led by Markus Pannermayr (CSU), is advocating for a robust financing solution, fearing the potential decline of the Germany ticket if no secure funding is established.
- In the future, the enhancement and modernization of public transportation infrastructure in Bavaria, including traffic management in Munich, will depend on a sustainable financing model to ensure a smooth and reliable service for passengers.
