Original Source: www.iamexpat.de
In a significant shift, Berlin’s ruling coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SPD) will eliminate the popular 29-euro monthly public transport ticket. Known locally as the Berlin-Abo, this ticket allowed unlimited travel within the AB zone, covering the vibrant heart of the city and suburban areas. Originally offered from October 2022 to April 2023, it returned in July 2024 after a brief hiatus due to the introduction of the Deutschlandticket.
Announced as part of the 2025 budget strategy, Mayor Kai Wegner and his CDU team decided to tighten restrictions on public spending, opting to scrap the affordability of the 29-euro ticket altogether. While the SPD suggested increasing the ticket price to 39 euros to potentially save 100 million euros, Wegner deemed these adjustments insufficient in light of the city’s tighter financial constraints. Consequently, the BVG has been ordered to cease operations of the ticket plan, but existing subscriptions will remain valid until they expire.
Moreover, this budgetary overhaul includes sharp reductions in various sectors, notably an 11.6% cut in the city’s culturally rich sector, provoking protests from thousands of workers on November 13 who rallied against the proposed financial slashes. The impending cuts also include reducing housing subsidies, substituting them with loans and guarantees, amplifying the feeling of uncertainty amongst public services amidst this budget plan.
Meanwhile, the nationwide Deutschlandticket faces its own jeopardy, teetering on the brink of collapse due to the instability of the federal coalition government. Transport ministers from Germany’s states are urging for urgent amendments to the Regionalisation Act to aid funding for the ticket, especially with the looming confidence vote for Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Without an immediate legislative framework, the future of the Deutschlandticket hangs in suspense, echoing the broader challenges of public transport funding across Germany.
The Berlin 29-euro ticket was designed to provide affordable and unlimited access to public transportation across Berlin, fostering urban mobility. Amidst growing financial strains and a focus on budget cuts, the ruling CDU and SPD coalition decided to scrap this initiative as part of their 2025 budget strategy. This move reflects broader fiscal challenges, not just in Berlin, but also affects national transport policy, particularly concerning the nationwide Deutschlandticket, which allows travel across states. The Deutschlandticket’s situation further complicates matters. Initially secure, reliance on this subscription service is now threatened by the coalition’s instability, emphasizing the need for reforms and sustainable funding solutions to ensure continued accessibility of public transport services in Germany.
The decision to abolish Berlin’s 29-euro monthly ticket reveals the city government’s struggle with fiscal management amid economic pressures. As cuts permeate various sectors, including significant reductions in cultural funding, residents’ access to affordable public transport is compromised. Concurrently, the broader fate of the Deutschlandticket hangs by a thread, necessitating urgent government intervention to stabilize public transit funding and support interconnected urban mobility across the nation.
