traffic | Tickets are becoming more expensive

Life and tickets are becoming more expensive. Photo: dpa/Jens Kalaene "If life in Berlin is becoming more and more expensive, price increases in local public transport send the wrong signal," says Berlin's left-wing parliamentary group leader Tobias Schulze.

The Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) announced on Thursday that ticket prices would be increased by an average of 3.7 percent on January 1st. The single ticket AB valid in the Berlin city area will still cost 4 euros. But the price for the ABC ticket, which can be used to take the S-Bahn to the Brandenburg area, increases from 5 euros to 5.20 euros. The short route, valid for three stations with the S-Bahn and U-Bahn or six stations with the bus and tram, will also be more expensive. Instead of 2.80 euros, you will have to pay 2.90 euros from January.

The price for the various four-trip tickets, which are cheaper than four individual tickets, will also be increased. The four-trip ticket for short journeys will cost 8.60 euros instead of 7.80 euros. For AB tickets it will be 13.20 euros instead of 12.40 euros and for ABC tickets it will be 17.60 euros instead of the previous 16.80 euros. Day tickets, monthly tickets and tickets for taking bicycles are also becoming more expensive.

The state of Brandenburg is also affected. In the cities of Brandenburg/Havel, Frankfurt (Oder) and Cottbus, the current prices for AB single tickets and AB four-trip tickets remain the same. But other fares are rising. In Potsdam the prices for all tickets are rising.

The VBB justifies the price increases in particular with the high inflation rate and necessary investments in vehicles and infrastructure, which are causing problems for all transport companies. It is therefore necessary to demand more money in order to be able to secure the existing offer in the future.

“Putting local transport companies’ cost increases on passengers one-sidedly is going in the wrong direction.”

But left-wing faction leader Schulze says: "Putting local transport companies' cost increases on passengers one-sidedly is going in the wrong direction." The higher price of the four-trip ticket is a particular burden on many seniors. They don't have to go to work Monday to Friday, but they use the bus and train for occasional trips to the doctor or to go shopping. The federal and state governments are called upon to support transport companies so that mobility remains affordable for everyone, says Schulze. “Instead of sinking 2.5 billion euros for three months into a fuel discount that subsidizes oil companies,” these funds should be used for buses and trains.

In their programs for the Berlin House of Representatives election on September 20th, the Left and the Greens promised to reduce the price of the social ticket from 27.50 euros per month to 9 euros. Left faction leader Schulze has now assured once again that his party will also work to ensure that the Deutschlandticket, which is valid in local transport throughout the Federal Republic, becomes cheaper and that prices in local public transport remain stable overall from 2028. The Berlin SPD would also like to campaign for a cheaper Germany ticket. That's what it says in their election manifesto.

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