The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) has announced that the Germany-wide 49-euro ticket is likely to be delayed until May 2023. The “Deutschlandticket” will offer unlimited travel on regional and public transport for just 49 euros per month.
Germany’s much awaited 49-euro ticket is likely to be delayed until May 2023, rather than launch in March as expected. The ticket is intended to be a follow up to the beloved 9-euro ticket which was available across Germany during the summer. Alongside the gas price cap and government-funded December utilities payment, the 49-euro ticket should cushion the blow of rising energy and living costs in Germany.
Speaking to FAZ, the chief of the VDV, Oliver Wolff, said that administrative preparations were the cause for the delay - more specifically, approving tariffs and reorganising the VDV tariff system. On Tuesday afternoon a conference for transport ministers representing all German federal states will be held, during which a specific date for the Deutschlandticket launch is likely to be set.
As it stands there also remain some uncertainties about how exactly the ticket will be financed. Speaking to FAZ, the chief executive of the German Association of Cities, Helmut Dedy, said, “We believe the Deutschlandticket to be a good idea, but only when it is properly financed.”
Dedy believes that the government is in denial that the 3-billion-euro budget set to finance the ticket is not enough: “The federal and state governments are trapped in a symbolism of their own making,” he added.
Speaking to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, leader of the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) Martin Burkert stressed that six months after the Deutschlandticket is launched, the federal government much calculate the cost incurred and provide additional funds to federal states if necessary. Burkert suggested that leaving states underfunded would risk “total damage to climate policy”.