Tickets in Suhl: Bus prices will rise dramatically from 2026!

Tickets in Suhl: Bus prices will rise dramatically from 2026!

The challenges in local public transport in Thuringia are increasing. How thuringia24 reports, the transport companies in eastern Germany are under immense pressure, which is leading to noticeable price increases for passengers. The Suhl/Zella-Mehlis municipal transport company (SNG) has announced that ticket prices will rise significantly from January 2026. The price for a monthly ticket will be increased from 39 euros to 50 euros and the price for a single ticket from 1.90 euros to 2.30 euros. The reasons for the price increases are diverse: increased energy, diesel and personnel costs as well as government requirements to invest in more environmentally friendly business practices are putting increasing pressure on transport companies.

There is a heated debate going on behind the scenes about pricing. Critics such as Steffen Hartwig from the Left express concerns about the impact of price increases on lower-income citizens. These concerns are compounded by the abolition of the social ticket, which provided discounted travel for low-income people. Mayor André Knapp sees the price increases as having no alternative in order to prevent cuts in the route network, while city councilor Gudrun Vestner from the FDP, on the one hand, shows understanding for the necessary measure, but on the other hand also sees the challenge of not burdening citizens excessively.

Impact on public transport

The situation is not just a local issue. Thuringia's transport policy aims to improve and make local public transport (ÖPNV) more attractive. Funding is provided to promote the investment expansion of public transport, such as digital-infrastructure.thueringen.de reported. This includes the construction and expansion of access and connection points as well as the promotion of modern passenger information systems.

In a larger context, the upcoming tariff increases in the Mittelthüringen Transport Association (VMT) are also relevant. From August 1, 2024, an average increase of approximately 9.97 percent is expected. These adjustments are necessary to address the financial challenges posed by high energy prices and other cost increases. How vmt-thueringen.de explains, the Deutschlandticket, which costs 49 euros per month, has been stabilized through separate financing from the state and federal government.

With regard to future developments, the city hopes for economic relief through the planned entry into the VMT from 2028. This step could offer a more uniform tariff system and improved connection options. Until then, however, further adjustments to ticket prices will be necessary in order to adjust the local tariff level accordingly. The uncertainty about the long-term effects of these measures on local transport in Thuringia remains and shows that there is still a lot going on.