The foundations of price planning considering socio-economic and socio-demographic factors
On average, less than 50% of German public transport costs are covered by fares alone. In other words, today’s customers bear less than 50% of the costs of public transport, while the remaining 50% is covered by the general public/the taxpayer. (...)
published in the Handbuch der kommunalen Verkehrsplanung 06/2007
(…) It is noticeable that the level of cost recovery has remained at this level almost constantly over the last ten years. Detailed examinations of individual transport companies show costs have actually been successfully reduced, particularly through restructuring, staff cuts and new wage structures. However, income from state compensation payments to support school pupils and the severely disabled have also fallen to a similar extent. At the same time, it has not been possible in this period to increase income from standard fares at a higher rate than inflation. In light of the challenging situation facing public budgets, it is essential to examine the future financing structures of public transport. There has recently thus been discussion in the sector of passengers making a greater contribution to financing public transport, to compensate for the fall in state subsidies.