Germany Ticket Financial Tussle: Thuringia's Concerns Over Federal Government's Proposed Reduction
Thuringia expresses concern over Germany ticket's financial gameplay with a critical stance - Thuringia views monetary gambling on poker as a hazard to Germany's lottery industry
Thuringia's Minister of Transport, Steffen Schütz (BSW), expresses hope for a compromise in funding the Germany ticket after 2025, hoping the federal government won't solely bear the costs. He believes such a regulation would be too unrealistic. "A withdrawal of the states from the financing would probably mean the death knell for the ticket," Schütz told the German Press Agency in Erfurt.
The Germany ticket, which allows the use of local and regional transport for 58 euros per month, is currently equally financed by the federal government and the states at 1.5 billion euros each. This offsets the revenue losses of transport companies.
With the model's nationwide use by millions, Thuringia prioritizes its transport policy, social, and ecological perspectives. Schütz suggests moderately increasing the federal government's financial share to secure the Germany ticket's continuation, ease strain on state budgets, and align with the federal government's coalition agreement goals.
Schütz emphasizes that the ticket must remain affordable, a sentiment he reiterates as negotiations approach, scheduled for a special transport ministers' conference in Berlin on June 27. Thuringia advocates for secure legal and financial measures to ensure long-term ticket security, even as the coalition agreement suggests future price hikes from 2029.
Some question the ticket's affordability if the federal government reduces its share below 90%, as proposed for 2026. Thuringia strongly opposes this, fearing it would force states to shoulder a significant financial burden, potentially leading to higher prices or even discontinuation in some regions. This could negatively impact public transport usage and climate goals.
Key terms: Germany ticket, Thuringia, Steffen Schütz, Fahrkarte, German Press Agency, coalition agreement.
Did you know? The proposed 50% cut in federal funding could disrupt the Germany ticket and ultimately threaten its nationwide operation, according to some states. Some cities have even threatened to pull out of the scheme if federal funding is reduced [1].
- The Germany ticket, currently co-funded by the federal government and EC countries, is a topic of concern for Thuringia, as a potential reduction in federal funding could impact the affordability and long-term sustainability of the vocational training opportunity it offers for public transportation.
- In the face of proposed finance policy changes that might see the federal government's financial share in the Germany ticket reduced, Thuringia's Minister of Transport, Steffen Schütz, emphasizes the need to maintain the ticket's affordability and the importance of aligning with the coalition agreement's goals through moderately increasing the federal government's financial involvement.
- As politics and policy-and-legislation discussions continue regarding the Germany ticket's future, Thuringia advocates for secure legal and financial measures to ensure the ticket's affordability and continued operation, particularly in light of the general news that potential funding reductions could force EC countries to shoulder a considerable financial burden, potentially leading to higher prices or even discontinuation in some regions – a scenario that could negatively impact public transportation usage and climate goals.
