Steep increases in diesel prices are placing massive strain on Germany’s public transportation sector, jeopardizing the viability of the national Deutschlandticket. This concern, reported by the “Rheinische Post” and based on a survey conducted by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV), reveals that adjusting costs are becoming extremely difficult for operators.
According to the VDV’s diesel price survey, 89.5 percent of transport companies report markedly higher operating costs. On average, monthly diesel expenses have risen by 27.5 percent.
Alexander Möller, CEO of the VDV, issued a serious warning about inevitable service cutbacks across both buses and trains. He stated that due to the “exploding prices” overall transport service capacity will decrease-affecting regional rail lines as well as urban and rural connections.
Möller cautioned that these reductions threaten to permanently erode the appeal of the Deutschlandticket. He added that the decline wouldn’t be triggered by the cost of the ticket, but rather by the deterioration of the overall public transport offering.
Currently costing €63, the new ticket price is slated for determination in September. However, Möller stressed that the diesel cost shock, attributed partly to the Iran crisis, strikes the system without any mitigation measures. While the industry managed to cope with previous cost increases, he stressed that the current jump is unmanageable. Consequently, the federal and state governments are now responsible for intervening to prevent a systemic collapse.