Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has expressed doubt that the Deutschlandticket cannot continue to cost 49 euros per month if Germany is to invest in track network renovations.

Lindner calls Deutschlandticket price into question

“At some point, politicians have to decide if we want to invest in the train track network or if the price [of a Deutschlandticket] should remain 49 euros,” Finance Minister Christian Lindner told the Welt am Sonntag newspaper last weekend. 

The ticket, which was first launched in May 2023, offers holders unlimited access to public and regional transport across the whole of Germany for just 49 euros per month. Lindner’s comment comes as the government continues discussions about Germany’s 2025 budget, in which the coalition is expected to make cuts. 

Meanwhile, major renovation projects planned for 1.800 train stations and 40 routes on Deutsche Bahn’s dilapidated track network, which for years has been leading to worsening delays, are expected to cost billions of euros. But funds raised from hiking the Deutschlandticket would amount to a tiny fraction of the billion-euro project, according to taz.

“Politicians must not exaggerate with the price increase,” chair of the passenger association Pro Bahn, Detlef Neuß, told broadcaster WDR, “The ticket must not become more than 59 euros per month.”

Deutschlandticket price capped at 49 euros until 2025

For now, that will remain the case. After long debates between the German state governments and the federal government in Berlin over funding responsibilities, in January, the price of the Deutschlandticket was frozen until the end of 2024.

In April, a demand followed from the federal states; that Germany securely fund the Deutschlandticket until 2036. The state governments demand that the funding responsibilities be shared with the federal government for 10 years starting in 2026, with the states’ funding share capped at 1,5 billion per year. Under this plan, however, the Deutschlandticket would also see regular price increases.

Thumb image credit: ON-Photography Germany / Shutterstock.com