Deutschlandticket: change of course in local transport for northern Hesse?

Deutschlandticket: change of course in local transport for northern Hesse?

A current master's thesis at the Department of Transport Planning and Transport Systems at the University of Kassel dealt intensively with the demand for scheduled transport in northern Hesse following the introduction of the Deutschlandticket. The investigation, which was led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Sommer covers the period from May 1st, 2023 to March 24th, 2024. In comparison, the period from May 1, 2022 to March 25, 2023 served as a reference. University of Kassel reports that...

The Deutschlandticket, which is offered for 49 euros per month, has proven effective in increasing the number of bus journeys by 10.3% - a figure that is above the national average of 7.3%. While the number of car usage in the city of Kassel fell by 0.8% in the same period, almost 53,000 Deutschlandticket subscriptions are now registered in the North Hessian Transport Association (NVV) area. This represents an increase of over 8,000 subscriptions compared to the previous year. The Hessian statistics highlight that...

Positive effects on rural areas

It is noteworthy that over 40% of Deutschlandticket subscribers come from rural areas. Prof. Sommer emphasizes that the Deutschlandticket could attract more passengers in rural areas. A contribution to this development is made by the “Every Village – Every Hour” strategy, which makes it possible to make public transport accessible every hour to places with at least 200 inhabitants. This offer could promote social participation and reduce dependence on automobiles, particularly in rural regions.

The issue is particularly relevant in the context of climate policy: from 2027, CO₂ prices could rise as part of European emissions trading, which could lead to price increases of 30 to 40 cents per liter of gasoline. In view of these developments, the Deutschlandticket proves to be a cost-effective and at the same time attractive alternative for local public transport.

Perception among the population

A study by the Fraunhofer Institute shows that the price of 49 euros for the Germany ticket is largely perceived as acceptable by the population. The respondents perceive 33 euros as cheap and 53 euros as expensive. This suggests broad acceptance of the ticket, although 30% of non-users say they would purchase the ticket at a lower price. The main reasons given for non-use were a lack of suitable connections, reliability and insufficient connection to the stops. Fraunhofer IAO has found that...

The study also shows that users of the Deutschlandticket are often environmentally conscious and use local public transport weekly. In contrast, non-users are often older and dependent on cars. Overall, the Deutschlandticket helps to shift traffic from private motorized transport to public transport and thus promote the use of public transport.

The findings of this study illustrate the untapped potential of the Deutschlandticket, particularly in regions where the availability of public transport is limited. Experts like Sebastian Stegmüller rate the ticket as a fundamental success that requires further improvements in public transport offerings.