German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder has vowed to find a long-term solution to secure the future of the Germany’s popular rail ticket, the D-Ticket.
In an interview with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”, Schnieder emphasized the importance of addressing the issue, stating that the need for a solution is evident, particularly in the light of the ongoing negotiations with the states. The Transport Minister expressed his goal of securing a lasting solution for the D-Ticket, which has been a topic of discussion in the coalition agreement.
The D-Ticket, a joint effort by the federal government and the states, has been providing financial support to the transportation sector by compensating for revenue losses, primarily caused by the previous, more expensive commuter passes. The joint funding of 1.5 billion euros per year from 2023 to 2025 is set to expire and a new agreement is needed to ensure the ticket’s continued viability.
The Transport Minister has scheduled a special conference of the Verkehrsministerkonferenz for the end of June, where the key questions of future financing will be addressed. Schnieder’s ultimate goal is to secure a lasting solution and he is willing to work with the states to achieve this objective, despite the ongoing disagreements.