The challenge
Energy prices spiked in 2022, and the government wanted to ease costs and get people out of cars.
The case
From June to August 2022, the German federal and state governments offered a ticket for 9 euros a month that covered all local and regional buses and trains nationwide. More than 52 million tickets were sold. Rail trips rose by about 35%, but a study using mobile phone data and traffic counts found car traffic fell by only 1–5%, with the smallest drops at commuting times. Much of the new travel was leisure trips. Trains were delayed about 30% more often because of crowding. The industry body VDV estimated 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 saved, based on surveys. The scheme led to the 49-euro Deutschlandticket in 2023.
Why the results were mixed
Very cheap fares filled trains and helped household budgets, but did little to get drivers out of cars, especially for commutes. Without added capacity, crowding and delays followed.
Sources
- Liebensteiner, M., Losert, J., Necker, S., Neumeier, F., Paetzold, J. & Wichert, S. (2026). Almost fare free: impact of a cheap public transport ticket on mobility patterns and train delays. Journal of Public Economics, 258, 105655.
- ifo Institute (2024). 9-euro ticket in Germany does little to reduce car traffic and significantly increases train delays.
- World Economic Forum (2022). Germany’s €9 transit ticket cuts 1.8 million tonnes of CO2.
Spot an error or know a better source? Tell us