Germany Ticket Loses Over One Million Users

Price Hike Triggers Drop in Public Transport Subscriptions

The Germany Ticket, launched in May 2023 to offer nationwide flat-rate travel on local and regional public transport, has suffered a major setback. Following its first price increase in January 2025 — from €49 to €58 — the number of subscribers has dropped by over one million. While fluctuations in usage had previously been attributed to seasonal trends, recent data suggests the decline may signal a longer-term shift in public response.

A market analysis conducted by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) and Deutsche Bahn reveals that monthly users fell from 14.5 million in December 2024 to 13.4 million in January 2025. Across the entire first quarter of 2025, the average user base stood at 13.5 million, down from 14.2 million in the final quarter of the previous year.

Young People and Job Tickets See Sharpest Declines

The impact of the price increase has not been evenly distributed. While part of the decline can be explained by usual seasonal variations — such as more people cycling during warmer months — more than half of the lost subscriptions, around 430,000, are directly attributed to the price rise.

Two user segments experienced particularly steep declines. Among people aged 14 to 29, subscriptions fell by more than 36 percent. Meanwhile, the number of job ticket holders — typically subsidized by employers — dropped by 16 percent to 2.2 million. These figures have alarmed both industry experts and policymakers, especially as these groups had been seen as critical to the ticket’s long-term viability.

Transport authorities had expected that more companies would adopt the ticket as part of employee benefit programs. Instead, enthusiasm has waned following the price jump, leading to disappointment in the sector.

Funding Structure Under Pressure

The Germany Ticket remains one of the most affordable transport options in the country, even after the increase to €58. Most regional monthly passes still cost significantly more. The program is funded through a three-pronged model: ticket sales, user volume, and public subsidies. The federal and state governments jointly contribute €3 billion per year to offset the losses incurred by transport operators.

However, VDV officials now warn that these subsidies may fall short. Rising costs for energy, staff, and maintenance mean that an additional €400 million may be needed to keep the system financially stable. Without an increase in public contributions, further price hikes could become inevitable — even before the timeline outlined in the coalition agreement.

Political Commitments and Future Pricing

The governing coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD has agreed to continue the Germany Ticket beyond 2025, with price increases officially deferred until 2029. At that point, the share of costs borne by users is expected to increase “gradually and in a socially responsible manner.” This commitment was intended to protect affordability and encourage widespread adoption.

However, industry leaders are questioning whether freezing prices for four more years is realistic. VDV’s head of public transport, Alexander Möller, criticized the rigidity of the policy. “It’s unrealistic to expect that one of the only products in Germany with a fixed price until 2029 can remain sustainable,” he said. “Every other service adjusts to inflation and rising costs. This one should too.”

Sector Demands Strategic Adjustment

To prevent further loss of users and stabilize funding, transport companies are urging the government to reconsider its pricing strategy. Instead of sudden hikes, the industry recommends linking future price increases to an index, such as inflation or wage growth, to ensure predictability and transparency for consumers.

Additionally, operators are calling for a long-term, reliable financing framework from federal and state governments. With current subsidy agreements set to expire at the end of the year and budget negotiations still unresolved, uncertainty remains over how the ticket will be supported going forward.

Möller emphasized the importance of positioning the Germany Ticket as a key national mobility policy, not just a temporary subsidy program. He also suggested launching a new nationwide marketing campaign to revive public enthusiasm and attract new users — particularly among younger demographics.

Risk of Policy Failure Without Adjustment

Introduced with strong public support, the Germany Ticket initially boosted ridership and offered hope for more sustainable mobility. But recent trends highlight vulnerabilities in its current structure. Without targeted adjustments in pricing and funding, transport experts fear the ticket could lose its momentum.

The drop in usage comes at a time when climate policy, urban mobility, and public transportation are gaining importance across Europe. If Germany wants to maintain leadership in sustainable transport solutions, it must ensure that affordability does not come at the cost of operational viability.