Local public transport will become more expensive again in many places in the new year. While prices in Munich only rise moderately, tickets cost significantly more in some regions.
Several transport associations, particularly large ones, are increasing fares on January 1st – this was revealed by an analysis by the dpa news agency of around a dozen transport associations. These include, among others, the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB), the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR) and the Munich Transport Association (MVV). Other associations have already increased prices this year, and others want to decide on this in the spring.
Prices are rising most significantly in the examined associations in the Augsburg Transport and Tariff Association (AVV). Bus and train tickets there will cost an average of 12.7 percent more from January 1st, as the AVV announced. A single ticket there costs 1.90 euros. Although this is cheap compared to other areas, the individual tariffs are difficult to compare. After all, the associations are of different sizes and the transport networks have different densities.
transport associations point to increased costs
Fares are also rising significantly in North Rhine-Westphalia: by an average of 10.4 percent in the Rhein-Sieg transport association (VRS) and by 9.4 percent in the Rhine-Ruhr transport association (VRR). In the VRR, the cheapest variant will cost a single ticket 3.30 euros and the most expensive 17.90 euros.
But what are the reasons for the significant price increases? The associations point to the increased costs, especially for energy and personnel. At the Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT), for example, those responsible describe the situation as dramatic. Price adjustments are not due there in January; the deadline for this in VMT is traditionally August 1st. “But we will have to deal with it,” said managing director Christoph Heuing when asked.
VBB: Second price increase in eight months
In Berlin and Brandenburg, the most recent price increase was just eight months ago. Nevertheless, prices here also rose on January 1st, with an average increase of 6.7 percent. The VBB also points to increased costs for personnel, fuel and energy. The VBB postponed the last price increase from January to April of this year. The group is now returning to its usual rhythm.
MVV only raises prices moderately
Greater Hannover Transport (GVH) is also increasing ticket prices, by an average of seven percent as of January 1st. However, the price adjustments in the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV) are much more moderate, with an average of 4.3 percent at the turn of the year.
“This is one of the lowest price increases in public transport in Germany this year,” said the association. “Up to 10.8 percent tariff increase would be necessary to compensate the transport companies in the MVV for the increased costs,” it said.
price for Germany ticket does not rise – for now
Public transport in Germany is financed, on the one hand, from so-called regionalization funds. The other half comes from passenger revenue for the transport companies. Ticket prices are therefore the only screw that companies can turn to compensate for rising costs.
The fare increases always only relate to the tariff offers of the respective associations. The price of the Germany ticket remains initially unaffected. The subscription, which allows holders to travel on local and regional transport nationwide, costs 49 euros per month. The subscription can be canceled monthly. But there, too, a price increase is not unlikely in the coming year.