Wednesday, September 17
Price hike for the Sozialticket; Deutschlandticket talks underway
Just six months ago, Berlin’s Sozialticket — the discounted travel pass for people on income support or housing benefits — cost only €9. In April, the price rose to €19. Now Berlin’s Senator for Social Affairs, Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), has confirmed that it will increase once again. From January, the ticket will cost €27.50.
Die Linke, the left-wing opposition party, has sharply criticised the plan, arguing that the CDU–SPD coalition is deepening social divisions in the city.
The administration expressed regret over the decision but cited the tight budget as justification. Officials stressed that the new price merely returns the ticket to its 2022 level, before inflation and soaring gas prices prompted a temporary reduction to ease financial pressure and encourage greener travel.
Meanwhile, in Munich, Brandenburg’s Transport Minister, Detlef Tabbert (BSW), addressed a conference of transport ministers, urging a secure and stable future for Germany’s nationwide public transport pass, the Deutschlandticket. Although the scheme is immensely popular, disputes continue over funding: the federal government wants the states to shoulder more of the burden, while the states demand greater federal support. At the start of this year, the Deutschlandticket price rose from €49 to €58, and further, smaller increases are already under discussion for next year.
