Traffic - Country: Germany ticket leads to more rail journeys
The introduction of Germany tickets in the previous year led, according to the state government's assessment, to higher passenger numbers in Baden-Württemberg's regional train services. In the first quarter of 2023, i.e., before the ticket was introduced, passenger demand in Baden-Württemberg was still below pre-Corona levels, writes the Transport Ministry in response to a joint parliamentary question from the Greens and CDU factions. Starting in May 2023, when the ticket was introduced, there was a significant increase in demand. "The second half of 2023 saw passenger numbers 20% above the levels of the second half of 2019 before the pandemic," the answer to the question states.
The ministry recorded particularly many new passengers on longer lines between major cities. For example, the number of passengers on the line between Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and Aalen almost doubled between the first and second halves of 2023. The route from Stuttgart via Ulm to Friedrichshafen saw a 35% increase in usage.
Long-distance travel is particularly attractive due to the affordable price
The ministry attributes the increases to the 49-euro ticket. There are some indications that the ticket is the main driver of the increase in demand. "The Germany ticket is now the most frequently used ticket on heavily demanded lines." Moreover, demand from April 2023 to May 2023 grew significantly above average. "The concentration of growth on longer distances could be explained by the fact that the significantly lower price of the Germany ticket has the strongest effect in comparison to the previous situation."
However, the ticket does not lead to more passengers everywhere. Passenger demand did not increase as much on short distances as on longer ones, according to the ministry. For example, the Seehas, which runs between Engen and Konstanz, recorded a 4% decrease in passengers, and there were 5% fewer passengers on several routes around Offenburg.
The Germany ticket for 49 Euro per month has been available since May last year - it is available as a digitally bookable, monthly subscription. Differences in zones or tariff areas no longer matter to passengers: It entitles holders to travel throughout Germany on all buses and regional trains.
How long can the price be maintained?
However, there have been discussions and disputes about the price of the Germany ticket for some time. The federal and state governments subsidize the offer with a total of 3 billion Euros per year. There is no price guarantee from the federal and state governments beyond this year. The ticket could therefore become more expensive for users starting in 2025.
Baden-Württemberg's Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (Greens) called on the Federal Government to honor its funding commitment. The ticket has been a great success. "The states have agreed to co-finance the ticket at a price of 49 Euro, on the condition that the Federal Government keeps its funding commitment. This includes using any unused funds from 2023 for 2024," said Hermann. The cabinet has not yet cashed in the Chancellor's promise. "If the Federal Finance Minister collects the remaining funds and the cabinet still doesn't make a positive decision, they will be digging at the grave of the 49-Euro ticket," warned Hermann.
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) recently rekindled the debate on price increases. "At some point, politics must decide whether we want to invest more in the railways or whether the 49 Euro price should remain," said Lindner.
- The Germany ticket, introduced last May, saw significant demand increase on the railroad route from Stuttgart, through Ulm, to Friedrichshafen, resulting in a 35% rise in passengers.
- Winfried Hermann, the Transport Minister of Baden-Württemberg (Greens), urged the Federal Government to honor their funding commitment for the Germany ticket, as it has been a successful initiative.
- The controversy over the price of the Germany ticket has been ongoing, with the federal and state governments subsidizing it with a total of 3 billion Euros annually, but no price guarantee beyond this year.
- The Germany ticket, priced at 49 Euros per month, allows passengers to travel throughout Germany on all buses and regional trains, regardless of zones or tariff areas.
- In the first quarter of 2023, passenger demand in Baden-Württemberg was still below pre-Corona levels, but after the ticket's introduction in May, there was a 20% increase in demand during the second half of 2023 compared to the second half of 2019.
- The route between Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, and Aalen saw almost a doubling of passenger numbers between the first and second halves of 2023, while the line from Stuttgart via Ulm to Friedrichshafen experienced a 35% increase in usage.
- Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) recently reopened the debate on potential price increases for the Germany ticket, suggesting a decision must be made between investing more in railways or maintaining the 49 Euro price.
