However, Bavaria’s Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (Christian Social Union, CSU) has sharply criticized the draft bill, calling it unrealistic and unsustainable.
Planned Legislative Change Aims to Secure the Ticket’s Future
To ensure long-term funding for the Germany Ticket, which was introduced in 2023, the federal government plans to amend the Regionalisation Act. A draft of the proposed legislation has been obtained by the German Press Agency (dpa). The draft emphasizes that the ticket cannot be maintained in the medium term without continued federal funding and corresponding contributions from the states. The plan was initially reported by Politico and the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland.
Currently, the federal and state governments share the annual cost of €3 billion, with each covering half. These funds are used to offset the significant revenue losses incurred by transport companies, as the Germany Ticket, currently priced at €58 per month, is significantly cheaper than previous commuter subscription models. However, the legal basis for this shared financing is set to expire at the end of 2025.
Price Increase Possible as Funding Questions Remain Unresolved
Although federal and state transport ministers reached a general agreement in late June during a special conference to extend the Germany Ticket beyond 2025, the exact financing mechanism remains unresolved. A particular point of contention is how any potential additional costs will be covered if the current €3 billion in funding proves insufficient. If no agreement is reached, a further increase in the ticket price could be on the horizon. The price already rose at the start of the year, from €49 to €58, marking an increase of approximately 18 percent.
One proposal under discussion is to introduce a permanent funding mechanism that would allow for annual price adjustments based on specific criteria. This would help stabilize the financing of the ticket, especially in the face of inflation-driven cost increases.
Bernreiter: “The Draft Bill Ignores Reality”
The most outspoken criticism has come from Bavaria. Christian Bernreiter, the Bavarian Transport Minister and Chair of the Conference of Transport Ministers, issued a clear warning:
“The draft amendment to the Regionalisation Act in no way reflects our expectations. It ignores reality. The €1.5 billion from the federal government will not be nearly enough for 2026.”
Bernreiter also criticized the federal government for failing to commit to long-term funding or to include a binding obligation to cover additional costs in the event of budget overruns:
“That is a fundamental flaw in this draft. Transport companies are being knowingly pushed into underfunding.”
13.4 Million People Use the Germany Ticket
The Germany Ticket was launched in May 2023 and allows for nationwide travel on local and regional public transport. As of January 2025, 13.4 million people held subscriptions to the ticket. Despite the price hike, it remains extremely popular. Nevertheless, critics continue to point out the lack of long-term planning certainty, particularly for transport operators who must account for long-term contracts and service capacity.
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