A low-cost subscription ticket for public transport in Germany, known as the “Deutschlandticket,” is greatly beneficial for the environment, according to new research.   

A study funded by the German government recorded an annual CO2 savings of 4.2 million to 6.5 million tons due to the ticket, which is a huge reduction in CO2 emissions for Germany.

According to Nicolas Koch, a researcher at the Ariadne climate project which conducted the study, “the driving force behind this change is true new customers” — people who rarely traveled by public transport.

These people now frequently use public transport with the Deutschlandticket.

Why rail over road?

Koch said the Deutschlandticket is an “important stimulus” for the transport transition in Germany.

The Deutschlandticket allows unlimited travel on local and regional public transport throughout Germany. It was introduced in 2023 to offer an affordable and a convenient way to travel across the country.

The study found that the 12-16% of journeys that shifted from car to rail often involved longer distances of about 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles).

People could avoid vehicle maintenance costs, fuel costs, and road tolls by using rail more often, the study said

The current cost of the Deutschlandticket is €58 ($63.8), up from €49 previously. Ariadne says that “a further increase in the ticket price could jeopardize these positive environmental effects.”

Is the Deutschlandticket affordable for all?

A separate study conducted by the German Parity Welfare Association showed that “people with low incomes often cannot afford the ticket.”

“We need a standardized social ticket that puts an end to this unworthy and unjust lottery of places of residence,” said Katja Kipping, managing director of the association.

The Deutschlandticket’s price greatly varies based on regional discounts. For instance, the German states of Hamburg, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia offered additional discounts for the Deutschlandticket.

In the southern city Würzburg, for example, the discounted Deutschlandticket costs only €15, whereas in the eastern city of Magdeburg it costs €53.  

According to the association, 243 out of 497 districts and municipalities offer no additional discounts, which makes the Deutschland ticket hard to afford for low-income people. A reduced price for the ticket should be available for all in Germany, the association contends. 

The association has demanded for a “Deutschlandticket Sozial” (Social Germany Ticket) that costs €25 for low-income people.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery