Politics · Germany · 11 hrs ago
Bilger backs proposed flexible Deutschlandticket for occasional passengers
Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger supports a flexible Deutschlandticket for people who use buses and trains only sometimes.
Under the proposal, passengers would check in and out with a smartphone app, and the lowest fare would be calculated automatically.
The monthly cost would be capped at the price of the existing Deutschlandticket, a nationwide public transport pass.
The transport ministers of Germany’s states postponed the proposal until their next conference rather than discussing it at their latest meeting.
Bavaria’s transport minister, Christian Bernreiter, opposes the plan, saying a cheaper ticket could prompt current subscribers to cancel and reduce funding for the system.
Supporters say it could make public transport more affordable for occasional users and encourage people to leave their cars at home.
Costs and practical details still need to be worked out before the ministers consider the proposal again.
Transport Minister Steffen Bilger supports a proposed nationwide ticket for occasional public transport passengers.
The plan would use a smartphone app to record journeys and calculate the cheapest fare.
Supporters say it could make travel easier and encourage people to switch from cars.
Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter opposes the proposal, citing its cost and the risk of losing subscribers to the existing Deutschlandticket.
State transport ministers removed a proposal from North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg from the agenda at their latest conference, but Bilger said it had been postponed until their next meeting.
- Who
- Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger supports the idea. Bavarian Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter opposes it.
- What
- A proposed nationwide ticket for occasional public transport users would use an app to register journeys and calculate fares.
- When
- Bilger commented on the proposal on 24 October 2026. The ministers’ latest conference had postponed it until their next meeting.
- Where
- The proposal is for public transport across Germany.
- Why
- Supporters say it could provide simpler access and encourage people to switch from cars. Bernreiter says a discounted ticket could cost the system money and lead subscribers to cancel their existing tickets.
Supporters of the proposed occasional-passenger ticket
Christian Bernreiter
Cost and benefits
Supporters of the proposed occasional-passenger ticket
Bilger says simple access to bus and train services is important, and supporters say cheaper fares could attract occasional passengers.
Christian Bernreiter
Bernreiter says it is not the time to introduce new discounted tickets and argues the system cannot lose more money.
Effect on existing ticket
Supporters of the proposed occasional-passenger ticket
NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer says the app-based model can help reduce costs and would not create additional costs in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Christian Bernreiter
Bernreiter says customers could cancel their existing Deutschlandticket subscriptions.
State transport ministers removed a proposal from North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg from the agenda.
Bilger said the proposal had been postponed until the next Conference of Transport Ministers.
- Proposal
- Nationwide app-based ticket for occasional passengers
- Proponents
- North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg
- Supporter
- Steffen Bilger, federal transport minister
- Opponent
- Christian Bernreiter, Bavarian transport minister
- Existing NRW model
- Monthly costs capped at 63 euros
2 sources
What people are saying
The Deutschlandticket for occasional passengers is an exciting idea. A simple way to access bus and train services is important.
This is not the time to introduce new discounted tickets.
We cannot keep taking money out of the system.