A cost-effective subscription ticket for public transportation in Germany, known as the “Deutschlandticket,” has been proven to greatly benefit the environment according to recent research. Funded by the German government, the study recorded a yearly CO2 savings of 4.2 million to 6.5 million tons, representing a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions for Germany. Nicolas Koch, a researcher at the Ariadne climate project which conducted the study, stated that the driving force behind this change is new customers – individuals who rarely utilized public transport in the past. These individuals now frequently use public transport with the Deutschlandticket. The ticket enables unlimited travel on local and regional public transport throughout the country, aiming to provide an affordable and convenient mode of transportation. Particularly, journeys that shifted from car to rail often involved longer distances of approximately 30 kilometers. By choosing rail over road, individuals can avoid vehicle maintenance costs, fuel costs, and road tolls. However, the affordability of the Deutschlandticket for all is still under debate. A separate study conducted by the German Parity Welfare Association highlighted that people with low incomes often cannot afford the ticket. There is a need for a standardized social ticket that addresses the disparities in affordability based on place of residence. The current cost of the Deutschlandticket is €58, and any further increase in the ticket price could jeopardize its positive environmental effects. The associations propose a “Deutschlandticket Sozial” (Social Germany Ticket) that would cost €25 for low-income individuals.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-s-deutschlandticket-helps-environment-study/a-72128647?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf