Doubts are growing among the federal states that the Deutschlandticket for local public transport can go live as planned in the spring.

"If the talks and negotiations continue to be as sluggish as in yesterday's working meeting between the federal and state governments, I see black for a timely start," said Bremen Transport Senator Maike Schaefer (Greens) at the weekend.

Until the end of last year, she chaired the conference of transport ministers and chaired the relevant negotiations.

At another meeting on Friday, according to her, talks stalled.

Corinna Budras

Business correspondent in Berlin.

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The reason for this is, among other things, disputes between the federal and state governments as to whether the offer should also be offered as a paper ticket.

Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) rejects this;

he prefers a purely digital solution via smartphone or chip card.

This is to ensure that the transport companies can collect anonymous data on user behavior.

These could provide information about the utilization of buses and trains.

Schaefer, on the other hand, called for a paper ticket for people who do not have a cell phone and for small transport companies who cannot yet offer digital ticket solutions in the short term.

There are still questions about the financing.

April 1 was the last time we were talking about the start date for the 49-euro ticket.

Wissing is still sticking to it.

"We must not hesitate now, not to cling to old structures, because we want to change them permanently," warned the FDP politician to the Funke media.

Schaefer, on the other hand, spoke in her press release of May 1st: After the conclusion of the legislative process, which is expected for March 31st, the sale of the ticket should start on April 3rd.

It would then be valid from the following month.

The Germany ticket allows the use of all public transport at a price of 49 euros per month.