Enhanced movement of buses and trains on the transportation network
Due to the Germany ticket, more individuals are opting for bus and train travel. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there was a six percent surge in passengers in Germany during the first half of 2024, with approximately 5.6 billion passengers overall. This increase might be attributed to the Germany ticket, which became available in May 2023 for 49 euros.
In public local transport (ÖPNV), accounting for 99 percent of line traffic, passenger numbers increased by six percent within the first six months as well. On the other hand, long-distance traffic saw a decrease of four percent, with 73 million passengers within a year. This decline was likely due to disruptions in long-distance rail traffic during the first quarter of 2024, leading to a 11 percent decrease in passengers on long-distance trains compared to the previous year's quarter.
However, long-distance rail traffic witnessed a one percent increase in passenger numbers during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year. By the end of the first half of the year, long-distance rail traffic had recorded 69 million passengers, marking a five percent decrease.
Contrarily, long-distance bus traffic saw a 12 percent increase in passengers during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year. This might have occurred since more passengers opted for long-distance buses due to disruptions in train services. This pattern was also observed in the stats for the spring quarter, which was free from rail strikes, with a three percent decrease in long-distance bus passengers compared to the previous year.
In the entire half-year, long-distance bus traffic saw a total of 5 million passengers, representing a four percent increase.
The boost in passengers in public local transport might be partially credited to the increased popularity of the railway system. Despite the initial four percent decrease in long-distance railway traffic, it subsequently recorded a one percent increase, demonstrating its resilience.
