Overview

• The Bundestag held a first reading on a law to secure the federal €1.5 billion contribution for the Deutschlandticket in 2026.
• Industry figures from the VDV point to a €400–500 million shortfall beyond the current €3 billion from Bund and Länder, with both sides disputing who covers the gap.
• A special transport ministers' conference is scheduled for 18 September, and reports indicate Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder will not attend due to budget duties in Berlin.
• Without a deal, officials warn of either further price increases or service reductions; the ticket costs €58 since January and subscriptions fell from 14.5 to 13.4 million after the hike.
• Large fraud losses have strained finances, with new safeguards such as bank account verification and central blocklists due to start in October 2025.