Overview
- The €63 monthly price took effect on January 1 under a decision by transport ministers, with a shift to an index-based pricing model planned for 2027 and the index to be set in spring.
- Regional networks implemented their own adjustments: VRR raised fares by 4.9%, VRS by 1.9%, AVV by 1.96%, MVV by 3.9%, and VBB by roughly 6% while discontinuing several products.
- Transition rules allow pre-purchased local tickets to remain valid or be exchanged for a limited time, including use through March 31, 2026 in the VRS area and on Düsseldorf’s Rheinbahn.
- The pass remains widely adopted with about 14.4 million holders nationwide, heavy use in NRW (1.7 million in VRR and roughly 800,000 in VRS), and consumer advocates criticizing the increase; a small Forsa poll suggested 13% plan to cancel.
- NRW opens wage talks for public transport workers on January 21, with Verdi signaling possible strikes that could disrupt services.