Local transport: “Deutschlandticket light” is not available for the time being

An attractive ticket for occasional bus and train riders - that's what Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia proposed for discussion at the conference of transport ministers. But now it's "Deutschlandticket

By Tagesschau 21 Oct 2026 · 2026-10-21 ago 2 min read

Deutsch (original) ·Auto-translated to English

Local public transport “Deutschlandticket light” is not available for the time being. As of: October 21st, 2026 • 5:16 p.m

Contrary to what was proposed, there will initially be no nationwide ticket offer for occasional local transport riders. A corresponding application called “Nationwide Electronic Opportunity Tariff” was quickly removed from the agenda of the Conference of Transport Ministers. The BR learned this from participants. The dpa news agency also reported on it.

The majority decision was therefore based on the fact that the application was submitted too soon before the meeting.

The transport ministers of the federal states are not considering the idea of a “Germany ticket light” for the time being. The transport ministers of North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg made a corresponding proposal. This was an offer for occasional bus and train drivers, analogous to the Deutschlandticket.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) was disappointed by the cancellation of the consultation. "It is regrettable that the SPD and CDU did not want to take part in the discussions about a nationwide occasional tariff for public transport. This is a missed opportunity for digitalization, cost reduction and comfort for passengers," he told the German Press Agency.

The application was submitted on time. "We remain committed to simplifying ticket sales throughout Germany and making access to local public transport more attractive for even more people." The topic should now be put on the next agenda of the transport ministers' conference, he explained.

There was already clear criticism of the new price increase. more

According to the draft, users should register the start and end of their journey using their smartphone and the cheapest tariff should be calculated automatically. Overall, you shouldn't pay more for a month than you would for a Germany ticket.

However, Bavaria's Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) and current chairman of the Conference of Transport Ministers explained before the meeting that there was certainly no money for that. After all, billions of euros are already missing, for example for ordering regional trains. The Association of German Transport Companies also rejected the plan for an occasional driver ticket. Social associations, on the other hand, welcomed the idea in the sense of cheaper mobility for poorer people.

The transport ministers of the federal states are meeting in Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, until Thursday. The agenda for the meeting primarily focuses on financing issues relating to local public transport. To this end, the ministers want to discuss, among other things, low water levels in German rivers and the future of autonomous driving.

With information from Arne Wilsdorff, BR24

Originally published byTagesschau

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