Germany's 49-Euro Ticket Now Costs €63—Hamburg Transport Chief Calls for Temporary Discount
Germany Weighs Steep Public Transport Discounts to Ease Cost Burdens
Anna-Theresa Korbutt, CEO of the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV), has backed calls for a limited-time discount on Germany's nationwide public transport ticket. In an interview with broadcaster NDR, Korbutt advocated for a temporary 30% price cut, which would reduce the monthly fare to €44.10.
The Deutschlandticket, currently priced at €63 per month, allows holders to use all local and regional public transport across Germany, though long-distance trains are nearly always excluded.
The proposal for a temporary reduction was first put forward by Martin Burkert, deputy chairman of Deutsche Bahn's supervisory board. "Instead of letting oil giants lead us by the nose, policymakers should not only impose a windfall tax but also leverage the state-owned railway," Burkert told Bild am Sonntag.
"A 30% discount on the Deutschlandticket and fare cuts of up to 50% on long-distance services would provide swift and effective relief," added Burkert, who also heads the EVG rail and transport workers' union.
If the federal and state governments agree to a discount, the debate over funding the ticket is likely to resurface. Previously, neither level of government was willing to allocate additional funds, leading to a gradual €14 increase in the ticket's price since its introduction in May 2023.
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