The Deutschlandticket, a low-cost subscription ticket for public transport in Germany, is significantly improving environmental outcomes by saving 4.2 to 6.5 million tons of CO2 annually. Research from the Ariadne climate project indicates that the ticket encourages new users—previously infrequent public transport travelers—to adopt this mode of travel consistently. It allows unlimited travel on local and regional transport across Germany, contributing to a transition from car to rail. However, concerns about affordability persist for low-income individuals, as ticket prices can vary greatly by region, potentially limiting its accessibility and positive environmental impacts.
According to Nicolas Koch, a researcher at the Ariadne climate project which conducted the study, the driving force behind this change are true new customers - people who rarely traveled by public transport.
The study found that the 12-16% of journeys that shifted from car to rail often involved longer distances of about 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles).
A separate study conducted by the German Parity Welfare Association showed that people with low incomes often cannot afford the ticket.
Ariadne says that a further increase in the ticket price could jeopardize these positive environmental effects.
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