One ticket, one price, valid for all regional trains and local transport throughout Germany: That is the promise that the so-called Deutschlandticket is intended to fulfill. But just under two months before it is to be introduced, it becomes apparent that the price is threatened with a patchwork quilt, with very different prices from state to state.
In some federal states, the ticket will cost less than 49 euros for pupils, students, trainees and seniors. The federal states want to make up the difference from their own resources. This is the result of a survey by the German Press Agency among the state transport ministries and some transport associations. The federal states also have very different ideas about the take-away regulations. Actually, the Deutschlandticket does not provide for taking other people, animals or bicycles with you – in some regions, however, the transport associations will allow this or offer special additional tickets that are then only valid there.
Because there are significantly more transport associations in Germany (more than 60) than federal states (16), different prices and different rules could apply every few kilometers.
Lower Saxony’s discounted option should apply nationwide
The Deutschlandticket is scheduled to start on May 1st and will only be issued digitally as a mobile phone ticket or as a chip card. In its original form, the ticket is not transferable and initially costs 49 euros per month. But some federal states have their own pricing models and scopes in mind.
- Bavaria According to the Ministry of Transport, will offer a discounted version of the Germany ticket for students and trainees for 29 euros, but this will then only be valid in Bavaria.
- Similar works Lower Saxony before: The local state government is considering introducing a planned 29-euro ticket for schoolchildren, trainees and volunteers. But that should apply nationwide. Unlike Bavarian students, students in Lower Saxony could then use the ticket to travel across Germany.
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is considering a discounted rate for trainees and seniors but hasn’t made a decision yet.
- That was announced back in January Saarland a young people ticket for pupils, trainees and volunteers residing in Saarland, which should cost 30.40 euros. The country wants to take over the difference of 18.60 euros.
- In Baden-Wuerttemberg since March 1st there has been a national youth ticket for 365 euros per year. A coupling with the Germany ticket is conceivable, but there are currently too many unresolved factors, according to the Ministry of Transport in Stuttgart.
Other state governments also want to develop cheaper offers, which are then only valid state-wide.
- In Berlin the 29-euro ticket for the inner city area could also be retained beyond the previous end date of April 30th. In the capital, the CDU and SPD are currently negotiating a new government alliance, and the ticket is also an issue.
- Hesse is planning a discounted, nationwide public transport ticket for low-income earners. The “Hessenpass Mobil” for 31 euros a month should apply to all people who are entitled to citizenship benefit, housing benefit plus or social assistance.
Whether you can take dogs or children with you depends on where you live
It gets really confusing when it comes to the take-along regulations. In some countries you can easily take your dog with you with the Deutschlandticket (North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin, Brandenburg), in other places suitable additional tickets are being discussed. The Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe in Saxony (VVO), for example, is planning an additional ticket for taking a bicycle or dog and people with you for ten euros per month – but that will only apply in this region.
That should be completely different Hanover run. If you switch from a monthly ticket to the Germany ticket, you should be able to take up to three children with you on weekends and in the evenings for an additional charge of 4.90 euros. And the transport and tariff association Stuttgart (VVS) wants to sell a so-called Ticket Plus. You should then be able to take children, dogs and bicycles with you and even transfer it to other people – at least in your own tariff area.