Kai Wegner and Ute Bonde – are these Berlin CDU politicians overturning the Deutschlandticket?

The Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) is in jeopardy. The federal government's coalition agreement states in black and white: "The Deutschlandticket will be continued beyond 2025." However, how and under what conditions the ticket for nationwide public transport will be offered thereafter is more unclear than ever. Now the Berlin state government is questioning continued funding. Will this mean the entire ticket is overturned?

At the beginning of the year, the price of the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) was raised by around 18 percent, from €49 to €58. Next year, it could be significantly more expensive. It remains unclear who will finance the ticket in the future. The federal government's share is only legally fixed for this year.

The Deutschlandticket is in danger because nobody wants to pay for it

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) is currently negotiating with the state premiers about how to proceed. Will the 50:50 funding between the federal and state governments, each providing €1.5 billion annually, remain?

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) recently made it clear that the federal government would not cover more than half of the costs. He called on the states to find a common position.

The uncertainties aren't surprising. Christoph Heuing, the new head of the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association, said in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung a week ago: "At the moment, things are on very shaky ground."

How shaky these legs are became apparent once again during a debate in the Berlin House of Representatives on Thursday. During the state parliament's question time, Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) stated that it is currently unclear whether the state of Berlin can continue to afford the ticket.

Berlin currently subsidizes the Deutschlandticket with around 145 million euros annually from the state budget. Given current discussions about tax relief, this amount will be virtually impossible to manage in the future, Wegner said. Even if the political will exists, Berlin will likely no longer be able to finance the ticket in the foreseeable future. A new approach must be found. "The simplest approach would be for the federal government to cover the costs entirely," Wegner continued.

On Friday, Transport Senator Ute Bonde backed her party colleague Wegner. Speaking to the Berliner Zeitung, the politician said: "The Germany Ticket was handed over to the states by the federal government. Therefore, the federal government must contribute appropriately."

However, Berlin does not want to go into the conference of transport ministers with an unconditional vote, a proposal to abolish the ticket entirely, Bonde added. The goal is to secure the service with sustainable financing. In any case, it might be sensible to adjust the price. Recently, there was talk of 70 euros per month.

Berlin SPD defends Germany Ticket: Kai Wegner must deliver

Tino Schopf, transport policy expert for Berlin's coalition partner, the SPD, particularly emphasizes the benefits of the Deutschlandticket for Berlin. The city-state has benefited enormously. Schopf points to the coalition agreement for the capital. The CDU/CSU and the SPD have agreed to continue the ticket beyond 2025 – "and I expect the Governing Mayor to push for an agreement to be reached and the Deutschlandticket to be maintained beyond 2029."