Finance minister criticized
Germany ticket before the end? Dispute over funding between Wissing and the states
For 49 euros a month you can travel by bus and train nationwide with the Deutschlandticket
© Boris Roessler / DPA
The successful Germany ticket could soon be on the brink. The states need clarification on the financing issue – Volker Wissing apparently doesn’t. The finance minister is now being criticized because of the impasse.
In the dispute over the further financing of the successful 49-euroGermany tickets, the fronts between the federal and state governments have hardened. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) rejects new talks with the states about additional federal money for the Deutschlandticket. Wissing canceled his participation in a special digital conference of the state transport ministers on Thursday. However, his ministry should be represented in the group.
Financial issues have been clarified by 2025 as part of a Prime Minister’s Conference, combined with the agreement to talk about further financing and structure of the Germany ticket in 2025, said the FDP politician in the ntv program “Early Start” on Thursday. “And now it’s 2023.”
Wissing also did not respond to the states in the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday). “There is a clear decision by the Prime Minister’s Conference on the financing issues of the Germany ticket. I am therefore very surprised that it is claimed that there are still unanswered questions until 2025,” he said. From the federal government’s perspective, there is “no reason to question the successful Germany ticket.”
Warning about the cancellation of the Germany ticket
Since May 1st, you can use the D-Ticket to travel on buses and trains in local public transport nationwide for 49 euros per month – with a digitally bookable, monthly-cancellable subscription. NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer, who is currently chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers, had warned that the offer would end. If a solution is not found very quickly, then the successful ticket model will “quickly become history again,” the Green politician said.
According to a basic agreement, the federal and state governments will each contribute 1.5 billion euros per year until 2025. However, the possible additional costs of the ticket are controversial. In the first year, the additional costs should be shared in half – but this “obligation to make additional contributions” will be open from 2024.
The Association of German Transport Companies expects additional costs for the Deutschlandticket to amount to 1.1 billion euros in 2024. Krischer had said that the states were prepared to pay half of the additional costs. However, there has been no clear signal from the federal government so far.
For 49 euros to neighboring countries
To Denmark, Austria or France: This is how the Germany ticket becomes a foreign ticket
Wissing holds countries accountable
Wissing now told ntv that the federal states should make the necessary structural changes instead of having financial discussions. More than 60 transport associations in Germany are far too many; the states have a lot to do here.
Associations and unions are calling for long-term, reliable financing of the Deutschlandticket. “We cannot afford to repeat every year the egg dance that took place when the funding was introduced,” said ver.di deputy chairwoman Christine Behle. “If politics maneuvers here for weeks, it will lead to uncertainty and a standstill in public transport.”
According to the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv), financing must be secured so that the Deutschlandticket is successful in the long term and more people use local transport. “The Deutschlandticket is a milestone for local public transport,” said vzbv board member Ramona Pop. With the new ticket, using buses and trains is “easier than ever” and most consumers can travel significantly cheaper. However, the discussions about financing caused uncertainty. Pop spoke out against a possible price increase. “An increase in the price of the recently introduced Germany ticket for 49 euros is unacceptable.”
Greenpeace criticizes “hanging party”
The environmental organization Greenpeace criticized Wissing. “With this fatal impasse, Volker Wissing is jeopardizing the only success that the Minister of Transport has achieved in climate protection after two years.”
The Campact organization and the VCD transport club described the Deutschlandticket as a central step towards social and ecological mobility. “Instead of just sinking money into motorways, Wissing must finally secure the future of bus and train travel.” Wissing must promise the money for 2024 at the latest by the regular transport ministers’ conference on October 11th and 12th in Cologne.