What will happen to the 49 euro ticket? This question concerns many people. The Deutschlandticket has been considered a successful model since its introduction in May 2023. According to the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), it was sold more than eleven million times in the first three months alone.
Related topic: Where public transport will be more expensive from January 1
According to VDV, around ten million people use it monthly. However, discussions about its continued existence, mainly regarding financing, are ongoing. The current concept ensures planning security only until April 2024. The federal government's budget crisis also undermines confidence.
What will happen to the 49 euro ticket soon
By April 2024, the city of Stendal was supposed to provide a subsidy of 40,000 euros to fund the Deutschlandticket in the region.
At the moment, the district council voted against it with the votes of the CDU, the FDP, and ProAltmark parties, as reported by the regional newspaper 'Volksstimme'.
The consequences of this decision are grim: Starting from January 1, 2024, the Deutschlandticket will no longer be valid on six bus routes within Stendal and on 35 bus routes in the region.
Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Infrastructure, Lydia Hüskens (FDP), was irritated by this decision. The federal government had agreed to compensate for the deficit, known to all parties. Therefore, in her opinion, this decision is unclear.
Residents of the Stendal district have become the main victims. Lydia Hüskens also emphasized that this decision has not affected train services in the region so far.
Kommunen, Kreise und Länder hinweg und das zu einem bezahlbaren Preis.
De facto bedeutet die Entscheidung des Kreistags: Zug ja, Bus nein. Das ist zutiefst verwirrend und ein Schlag ins Gesicht für die Abonnent*innen. Insbesondere wird es für aktmärkische Pendler*innen auf dem — B’90/GRÜNE Altmark (@AltmarkGruene) December 8, 2023
Nevertheless, such an approach causes deep confusion and misunderstanding among all ticket holders. This is explicitly noted by the Chairman of the Green District Association Altmark, Christian Hauer. Therefore, he calls for a reconsideration of this decision to secure funding even in 2024.
At the Conference of Prime Ministers of the Federal States, it was decided to finance the Deutschlandticket until May 2024. The federal government and state governments committed to allocate 1.5 billion euros each, but the Association of German Transport Companies expects expenses to reach 4.1 billion euros for 2024.
By May 2024, the missing funds are supposed to come from the surplus funding for 2023.
What will happen next with the ticket is still uncertain. Other cities and regions may follow Stendal's example and withdraw funding for the ticket.
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After the district council's decision, many residents in Stendal and its region will face higher transport costs starting from January 1, 2024, as the 49 euro ticket will no longer be valid on certain bus routes. Despite this decision, train services in the region remain unaffected.
As discussions about the Deutschlandticket's continued existence continue, some cities and regions may follow Stendal's example and withdraw funding for the ticket, which could lead to uncertainty about its future.
