German transport minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) said he is open to adding a photo of the ticket holder to the Deutschlandticket to boost security on trains.

In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” on Tuesday, Schnieder explained that the federal states want the ticket to be even more fraud‑proof, a topic that will be discussed at the traffic ministers’ conference at the end of March. “If a passport photo on the Deutschlandticket could help with that, it should be part of the discussions” he told the newspaper.

He added that the design of the Deutschlandticket-and any potential standardisation-must be approved by the states. Schnieder also noted that his conversations with the DB Regio works council and staff have made him aware of how delicate identity checks on board can be, and how quickly conflict situations can arise.