Germany's €49 transport ticket may freeze at €63 to ease energy crisis burdens

A bold plan to lock transport fares could shield families from soaring expenses. But will frozen prices strain public transit budgets even further?

, and Administrator

2026 April 30 . 4:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a long line of taxis parked on the side of a street in Berlin, Germany. There are... — The image shows a long line of taxis parked on the side of a street in Berlin, Germany. There are many vehicles on the road, with people riding bicycles and walking on the sidewalk. On both sides of the street there are light poles and trees, and in the background there are buildings, an arch, and a tower. The sky is filled with clouds.

Germany's €49 transport ticket may freeze at €63 to ease energy crisis burdens

Amid the energy crisis, calls are growing to temporarily freeze the price of Germany's nationwide 49-euro transport ticket at €63 instead of raising it on January 1, 2027.

"The inflation-linked increase planned for the Deutschlandticket in 2027 and 2028 must be suspended," Detlef Neuß, honorary chairman of the passenger rights group Pro Bahn, told the Rheinische Post (Thursday edition). He noted that the necessary funding would be less than the €1.6 billion allocated for the fuel discount.

Oliver Krischer, transport minister of North Rhine-Westphalia (Green Party), also opposed a price hike. "Keeping the Deutschlandticket at a stable price would send the right signal in these times," he told the newspaper. Krischer added that public transport must not be neglected when billions are being mobilized for fuel subsidies and cuts to aviation taxes. He also argued that allowing free travel for children and young people would significantly ease the burden on many families.

Petra Berg, transport minister of Saarland (SPD), warned of rising costs in local public transport. She cautioned against creating a situation where the state subsidizes gasoline while cutting back on buses and trains.