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VRS Confirms 2026 Fare Rise in NRW, Sets June Start for CologneAachen Tariff Integration

Higher operating costs and the dominance of the Deutschlandticket are reshaping prices and tariff design.

Overview

  • Fares in the VRS area will increase by an average of 1.9% on 1 January 2026, with the app-based eezy.nrw rising 2.2% in the VRS/AVV region.
  • The Deutschlandticket will cost €63 per month from 1 January 2026 under the decision by the state transport ministers.
  • The VRS and AVV will begin a two-stage reform on 1 June 2026, dropping the CologneAachen tariff border and reducing price stages first to five and later to four.
  • The low-cost Kurzstrecke will be retained longer in VRS/AVV and is scheduled for removal in the second reform step on 1 June 2028.
  • Across NRW, the VRR has approved a 4.9% average hike from January, Westfalen plans only limited adjustments, and the AVV will decide its January change on 26 November 2025.