Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) is exploring linking the price of the Deutschlandticket to the inflation rate. In statements to the Funke Media Group, published Friday, Schnieder said, “One model we are discussing with the federal states is linking the ticket price to the inflation rate. We need a functioning mechanism so that we don’t have to renegotiate every year.
The federal government and the states have indicated a reluctance to increase the current subsidy of 1.5 billion euros. “Now all parties involved are called upon to find a solution” the minister stated.
Schnieder is advocating for a permanent funding solution for the Deutschlandticket. “The Deutschlandticket would still be attractive even at a higher price” the CDU politician asserted. He highlighted the cost difference compared to traditional monthly passes, which are often limited to a single region. Following a price increase at the start of the year, the number of Deutschlandticket users decreased from 14.5 million to 13.4 million.