Overview

• The Verkehrsministerkonferenz set the new monthly fare at €63 starting 1 January 2026, with formal Bundesrat approval still pending.
• Federal and state contributions remain capped at €1.5 billion each per year, yet operators face an industry‑estimated €800 million shortfall in 2026.
• Ministers plan to introduce a cost index from 2027 to automate future adjustments and curb recurring political price battles.
• The Länder proposed conditional multi‑year financing through 2030 if Berlin matches yearly funds, but the federal commitment currently extends only to 2026.
• Passenger and social groups warn the higher price could erode affordability and ridership, noting subscriptions fell by about one million to roughly 13.5 million after the January 2025 hike.