Fewer Germany tickets sold: Green Party leader wants to return to the 49 euro ticket
In light of declining user numbers for the Deutschlandticket, Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge is calling for the ticket price to be reduced again. "The Deutschlandticket should be a 49-euro ticket again. And remain so permanently," Dröge told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) on Thursday. The ticket has become too expensive, especially for many young people. "Yet the ticket has been a great success: It has made bus and train travel affordable for trainees, students, and people on low incomes."
Following the price increase to 58 euros in January, sales figures fell to 13.5 million tickets in the first quarter of 2025, according to market research by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) and Deutsche Bahn, as first reported by the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" (FAZ). In the fourth quarter of 2024, the average was 14.2 million, and in December, even 14.5 million.
According to the report, the number of young people between 14 and 29 years of age plummeted by more than a third (36 percent). However, the declines were particularly noticeable in standard and job tickets, the VDV added to RND. "This shows that there is uncertainty among passengers, commuters, and companies regarding the price and other conditions of the Deutschlandticket," said association spokesperson Lars Wagner.
The VDV has long been proposing the definition of an index for the price development of the D-Ticket, based on clear criteria and thus generally understandable. Currently, it is primarily pushing for an extension of the discount scheme for the Jobticket, which expires at the end of the year. An offer for trainees, similar to the Student Ticket, is also still pending.
Dröge also insists on reliable, long-term financing. "The CDU and SPD are jeopardizing the continued existence of the Deutschlandticket with their policies," says the Green Party parliamentary group leader.
Market research attributes more than half of the decline (around 430,000 tickets) to the price increase. However, if this is confirmed by actual sales figures, it would still be better than expected. Forecasts predicted a decline of up to nine percent of users; the current figure is around six percent.
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