The introduction of the 29-euro ticket in Berlin at the beginning of July was criticized by Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter. “In Bavaria we can only maintain the public transport offer by digging deep into the state treasury, while Berlin, as the main recipient of the state financial equalization, is basically using Bavarian money to finance a total discount for all passengers,” the CSU politician told the “Tagesspiegel”. “This is difficult to understand and anything but sustainable.”

Criticism also from the federal government

Something like this ultimately comes at the expense of the Germany ticket. “It is no wonder that we are thinking about reorganizing the state financial equalization,” added Bernreiter.

The Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Federal Government Commissioner for Railways, Michael Theurer (FDP), was also critical: The Deutschlandticket offers the opportunity to radically simplify complex tariff systems and streamline structures in the transport associations, he told the “Tagesspiegel”. "Regional competing products such as the Berlin 29-euro ticket counteract these goals."

29 euro ticket from the beginning of July

Berlin Transport Senator Manja Schreiner (CDU) and Economics Senator Franziska Giffey (SPD) announced on Tuesday that the ticket would be valid from July 1st and that advance sales would start on Tuesday next week. It is valid within the city (tariff zone AB) and is only available as part of an annual subscription.

There had been long discussions about the introduction of the discounted ticket for public transport, which would be available in Berlin alongside the 49-euro ticket. The Berlin SPD had promoted this in the election campaign before the repeat of the House of Representatives elections in 2023.

From Wednesday, the transport ministers of the federal states will meet in Münster for two days of consultations. Among other things, the financing of public transport and the future of the Deutschlandticket are on the agenda.