Traffic turnaround in danger? Germany ticket fails in rural areas!

Traffic turnaround in danger? Germany ticket fails in rural areas!

The Germany ticket, which has been available for 49 euros since its introduction on May 1, 2023, should drive the traffic transition in Germany forward. As tagesschau.de , however, it has been shown that the ticket does not find the hoped-for acceptance in rural areas. Marcel Keidel, business promoter of the Kusel-Altenglan community, emphasizes that regional traffic would have to be expanded to make the use of the ticket attractive.

In rural communities, such as the 34 locations in the community, many people commute to Kaiserslautern, Ramstein or Homburg, which are over 30 kilometers away. The travel times vary greatly: While it takes only half an hour by car, you need an hour by train and even two and a half hours by bus. The late return options to Kusel are particularly problematic, as the last train leaves at half past eight. These challenges are reinforced according to dzsf.bund.de more by frequent bypasses, which makes the use unattractive.

acceptance of the Germany ticket

The use of the Germany ticket shows significant differences between urban and rural regions. In Hamburg, about 40% of the residents use the ticket compared to only 7-8% in rural areas. Robert Follmer from the Infas Institute sees the Germany ticket despite this lower acceptance as a success story in SPE. He is convinced that the acceptance could increase with the help of improvements in the infrastructure as long as it is not countered by price increases or restrictions.

The Conference of Transport Ministers, led by Bavaria, is currently advising on the future of the Germany ticket. The Bavarian Ministry of Transport demands more financial support from the federal government to ensure the necessary investments in the transport infrastructure. Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter emphasizes the urgency of great investments to increase the attractiveness of the Germany ticket.

investments and infrastructure

The Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V. (VCD) calls for a nationwide mobility guarantee for places with more than 200 inhabitants. According to bpb.de it is essential to create regular and reliable connections. Environmental subsidies, including the company car privilege, should be dismantled in favor of the Germany ticket. Follmer sees a clear need to invest in the railway lines in rural areas in order to remain competitive compared to individual transport.

Community representatives such as Keidel, however, question the financing of such measures because many municipalities are already financially gorge. In order to move drivers to switch to public transport, comprehensive improvements in public transport are essential.

Long -term consideration of mobility behavior

The Germany ticket is not only a means of transport, but also a research object. The “Transport Policy and Mobility Behavior” project examines the effects of the ticket on mobility behavior. The first empirical findings are expected in late summer 2024. This long-term analysis is intended to support political actors in the further development of the ticket system and show the conditions under which there is actually a change in behavior in mobility behavior.