Transport ministers in the north are calling for a clear future for the Deutschlandticket!

Transport ministers in the north are calling for a clear future for the Deutschlandticket!

The important conference of federal and state transport ministers will take place in Straubing on Wednesday and Thursday. Central public transport issues are on the agenda here, with Schleswig-Holstein's Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen calling for clear commitments and closer cooperation between the federal and state governments. The long-term security of public transport and rail is particularly important to him.

A main point that Madsen addresses is the future of the Deutschlandticket. He is committed to securing financing until 2030 and is calling for a ticket price adjustment from 2026, which should be based on a transparent index. This ticket, which has enabled nationwide travel on regional and local transport since May 2023, now costs 58 euros per month after the price was increased by nine euros in January 2025. However, financing beyond 2025 is still uncertain, which is why the transport ministers now have to meet in Berlin for a special conference to clarify the conditions and financing issues, as t-online.de reports.

Financing challenges

The Deutschlandticket is currently being financed by 1.5 billion euros each from the federal and state governments. However, Madsen and other country representatives see the need to increase these funds in order to improve the quality, punctuality and service of local public transport. In particular, the “Danish model” for calculating train path prices for Deutsche Bahn is being discussed in order to achieve a better cost structure and align prices with demand.

The frustration among consumers and transport companies over the unclear financing is palpable. Associations such as the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) are calling for more clarity and emphasizing the need for a special price index for local public transport. However, many states cannot provide more than the current 1.5 billion euros and are asking for additional support from the federal government.

Long-term investments in infrastructure

Madsen's other concerns concern improving federal highways and waterways. These are currently under austerity measures and are not taken into account in the infrastructure special fund. Madsen is calling for a tenfold increase in federal aid for the port infrastructure, which currently stands at 38 million euros annually. This should not only serve to renovate and maintain federal highways, but also to initiate a joint skilled workers offensive for the construction, operation and digitalization of the transport system. He has found support from the states that are demanding a stronger say, especially a seat on the supervisory board of Deutsche Bahn.

The challenges are enormous, but the transport ministers are optimistic that sustainable mobility can be guaranteed through close cooperation and clear agreements. The upcoming talks in Straubing are therefore of utmost importance for the transport landscape in Germany.

For anyone interested, the comprehensive details of the ongoing discussion and the plans to reform public transport and the financing of the Deutschlandticket are available on the websites of n-tv and t-online.de.