Germany has decided to continue to sell the all-inclusive Deutschlandticket despite pressure from the transport industry.
Since April 2023, international travellers and local commuters have been able to purchase the Deutschlandticket for a monthly subscription of €49 (R1 000). The public transport ticket can be used on all city buses, the subway and trams across the country, as well as on short and medium-distance regional train transport.
According to euronews.com, national and regional transport companies are under pressure due to high inflation, and ticket revenues remain low. As a result, transport executives and authorities asked the government to increase the cost of the Deutschlandticket.
Nevertheless, the government confirmed that the ticket would remain at the same price for 2024.
During a meeting between federal and state heads, it was decided that unspent funds, estimated at €700 million (R14,3 billion), would be used to compensate operators and states for any loss of revenue, reports railjournal.com.