Study: Deutschlandticket can also work in rural areas

A closely supervised master's thesis at the Department of Transport Planning and Transport Systems at the University of Kassel (headed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Sommer) has investigated how demand for public transport in northern Hesse has developed since the introduction of the Deutschlandticket. The development in car traffic was also determined. The study took place in the period 01.05.2023 - 24.03.2024, i.e. after the introduction of the Deutschlandticket for 49 euros per month. The comparison period was 01.05.2022 - 25.03.2023. The data was based on automatic passenger counting systems on 25 bus routes in the rural districts of Kassel, Werra-Meißner, Waldeck-Frankenberg, Schwalm-Eder and Hersfeld-Rotenburg. The services on the selected bus routes had not changed in the periods before and after the introduction of the Deutschlandticket.

Accordingly, the number of bus journeys increased by 10.3% after the introduction of the Deutschlandticket - even though the 9-euro ticket was also an attractive offer in the short term in the comparative period 2022/23. The increase is well above the national average of 7.3 percent. Car traffic in the city of Kassel (determined at 75 counting points) decreased by 0.8% in the same period. According to the NVV, the number of Deutschlandticket subscriptions in the NVV area on February 1, 2025 was almost 53,000 and thus significantly higher than the previous year (on February 1, 2024, there were 44,900). More than 40 percent of Deutschlandtickets were subscribed to by residents outside the city of Kassel.

"The NVV example shows that the Deutschlandticket can attract more passengers in rural areas than in urban areas - if the offer is right," said Sommer. He attested that the NVV has a very good offer compared to the rest of Germany, especially thanks to the "Every village - every hour" strategy. This means that every village in the NVV area with a population of around 200 or more can be reached by public transport at least every hour. "This strategy is not only the right one against the backdrop of climate protection targets, but also offers many people a real alternative if fuel prices rise significantly from 2027." From 2027, prices for CO₂ emissions from buildings and transport will be set via European emissions trading. Experts assume that this could lead to price increases in the order of 30 to 40 cents per liter. Sommer: "The combination of an attractive offer and a low-cost Germany ticket guarantees social participation and reduces dependence on cars."

Study: Jonas Fulda (Master's in Mobility, Transport and Infrastructure): Effects of the Deutschlandticket on transport demand in northern Hesse