49 euro ticket - Germany ticket price increase feared soon
In Thuringia, concerns exist regarding potential price increases for Germany ticket. If the Federal government fails to pay the promised funds, the price of the ticket, which has been 49 Euro so far, may have to be raised from October 1st, according to a spokesperson from the Thuringian Transport Ministry. It is still unclear whether the ticket would then cost approximately 59, 64 or 69 Euro. There will be a special Transport Ministers' conference on the matter on Monday.
Financing gap from October
The background is a dispute between the states and the Federal government. According to the spokesperson, the Federal government had agreed to transfer unused funds from the previous year to this year. This would have stopped a financing gap of approximately 700 million Euro that would exist from late September. However, this has not happened yet. "If the Federal government does not move, a price increase from October 1, 2024, will be necessary."
Abolition of Germany ticket currently unlikely, says spokesperson. However, it is to be expected that some transport companies may withdraw, leading to a patchwork situation nationwide. In Thuringia, this patchwork situation is not expected to occur, as the state guarantees the companies to cover deficits.
Transport association warns of consequences
The chairman of the Transport association Pro Bahn in Thuringia, Olaf Behr, warned: "A significant price increase will lead to us losing passengers." He couldn't predict where the limit of acceptability lies. The Germany ticket also has a social component and enables participation, he said.
He also does not believe that the ticket itself is threatened: "I see this as saber rattling." However, the constant public discussions about financing are causing uncertainty among passengers and the operators. "It cannot be that the Federal government always clarifies this financing issue at the last minute."
- The crisis mood surrounding the potential price increase of the Germany ticket in Thuringia has prompted the Ministry of Transport to consider various price options, ranging from 59 to 69 Euro.
- The Ministry of Transport in Thuringia, currently in a mood of crisis due to potential price increases for Germany tickets, is set to discuss this issue at an upcoming Transport Ministers' conference in Erfurt.
- As the cost of Germany tickets in Thuringia might increase from October 1st due to a financing gap, the Ministry of Transport is closely monitoring the situation, particularly in light of potential consequences for both passengers and transport companies.
