En ny giv för kollektivtrafiken? : En kartläggning och fallstudie av nya europeiska statliga subventioner och nationella biljettsystem för kollektivtrafik
(2025) In K2 Working paper 2025(2).- Abstract (Swedish)
- The purpose of this report is to map and analyze new European state interventions for the operation of public transport and explore their relevance in a Swedish policy context.
The report meets this purpose by mapping state subsidies that have been introduced in Europe in recent years and how these are designed. Furthermore, in-depth studies are conducted for Germany and Austria, the two countries that have introduced nationally subsidized ticket systems that are subsidized with state funds. We explore the process for the introduction of the national tickets, as well as the tax system and the organization and financing of public transport in both countries. These are then compared with the Swedish context to enable a discussion of... (More) - The purpose of this report is to map and analyze new European state interventions for the operation of public transport and explore their relevance in a Swedish policy context.
The report meets this purpose by mapping state subsidies that have been introduced in Europe in recent years and how these are designed. Furthermore, in-depth studies are conducted for Germany and Austria, the two countries that have introduced nationally subsidized ticket systems that are subsidized with state funds. We explore the process for the introduction of the national tickets, as well as the tax system and the organization and financing of public transport in both countries. These are then compared with the Swedish context to enable a discussion of similarities and differences between the three countries. The work has been carried out through studies of published literature, internet searches, interviews and a workshop with Swedish actors working with public transport.
Main conclusions
Based on the report's material and analysis, we present the following main conclusions related to the introduction of state subsidies and national ticket systems for public transport:
o The mapping of European subsidy initiatives shows that new state subsidies for public transport tickets in Europe are a widespread phenomenon. Almost a third of the countries in the EU and the UK have introduced some form of state subsidies for local and regional public transport in recent years. However, the extent of the subsidies differs in both scope and level, from the introduction of completely free public transport in smaller countries such as Luxembourg and Malta to subsidizing only regional train journeys in Portugal and Hungary.
o Based on the comparison between Germany and Austria, it is concluded that the context in which state-subsidized national ticketing systems are introduced is potentially decisive. Austria's introduction of the Klimaticket in 2021 was preceded by many years of work and a long-term upgrade of the railway network. This differs markedly from the introduction of the 9-Euro-Ticket in Germany, which was introduced ad hoc as an inflation fighting measure. It is reasonable to assume that long-term and strategic considerations reasonably have better prospects for successful introduction and duration.
o National ticket systems coupled with state subsidies mean in most cases simultaneously simplification and increased economic accessibility for travelers. A ticket that is easy to grasp and covers an entire country makes it easy to navigate public transport and know how to get around the whole or parts of the country. This was also the motivation for the Swedish inquiry into a national ticketing system, which also pointed out the shortcomings of a voluntary system of the kind that exists today.
o State subsidies and/or national ticket systems highlight the role of the state as an active actor in public transport. Although it remains to be seen whether and how long such commitments may last, all countries that have been discussed both briefly and in more detail have shown that many states have been willing to take a more active role in supporting local and regional public transport.
o The introduction of state subsidies and national ticketing systems can, in both the short and long term, influence and strengthen the discourse on the role of public transport in society. The introduction of state subsidies can be interpreted as a partial decommodification of public transport, i.e., it reduces its function as a commodity sold on a market, which also means that it, to greater extent, may be treated a public resource.
o The communicative value of a state subsidy and/or national ticket system should therefore not be underestimated. Most interviewees highlight the simplicity of a national ticket system combined with subsidies in several interviews as an important communicative or marketing advantage.
o The opportunity costs of state subsidies for public transport tickets is also a crucial aspect for decisions on the introduction of subsidies and/or national ticket systems. This means what benefit the corresponding resources can make in the form of other investments in, e.g., infrastructure, traffic supply and an improved working environment. Several interviewees highlighted that they would rather have seen investments in expanded infrastructure, better working conditions or increased traffic supply rather than cheaper tickets for passengers. These are priorities that are important to keep in mind for decision-makers considering subsidized national tickets.
o The analysis shows that there are no major institutional barriers to introducing state subsidies or a national ticket system in Sweden compared to Germany or Austria. Since Sweden is a unitary state and Germany and Austria are federal republics, it even appears to be simpler. The biggest obstacles in Sweden are the clearly institutionalized municipal autonomy that prevents the state from controlling the activities of municipalities and regions, and vice versa, a clear lack of willingness to take on a national leadership for public transport policy in Sweden, as well as the relatively low degree of transactions from the state level
to regions and municipalities in Sweden compared to Germany and Austria.
o Lastly, there is a need for further comparative and in-depth studies of state subsidies and national ticketing systems in Europe. To deepen knowledge about the effects of subsidies, continued studies both of effects on travel, economy, attitudes and other quantitative factors, as well as qualitative analyses of the policy processes and discourses surrounding the introduction of new economic instruments for public transport, are of relevance. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/08778ccc-2a03-4cc5-9ed7-d919812766d0
- author
- Portison Hylander, Jens and Koglin, Till LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2025
- type
- Working paper/Preprint
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- K2 Working paper
- volume
- 2025
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 55 pages
- publisher
- K2 - Nationellt kunskapscentrum för kollektivtrafik
- ISBN
- 978-91-89407-53-4
- language
- Swedish
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 08778ccc-2a03-4cc5-9ed7-d919812766d0
- date added to LUP
- 2025-03-10 14:26:12
- date last changed
- 2025-04-04 13:58:33
@misc{08778ccc-2a03-4cc5-9ed7-d919812766d0, abstract = {{The purpose of this report is to map and analyze new European state interventions for the operation of public transport and explore their relevance in a Swedish policy context.<br/>The report meets this purpose by mapping state subsidies that have been introduced in Europe in recent years and how these are designed. Furthermore, in-depth studies are conducted for Germany and Austria, the two countries that have introduced nationally subsidized ticket systems that are subsidized with state funds. We explore the process for the introduction of the national tickets, as well as the tax system and the organization and financing of public transport in both countries. These are then compared with the Swedish context to enable a discussion of similarities and differences between the three countries. The work has been carried out through studies of published literature, internet searches, interviews and a workshop with Swedish actors working with public transport.<br/>Main conclusions<br/>Based on the report's material and analysis, we present the following main conclusions related to the introduction of state subsidies and national ticket systems for public transport:<br/><br/>o The mapping of European subsidy initiatives shows that new state subsidies for public transport tickets in Europe are a widespread phenomenon. Almost a third of the countries in the EU and the UK have introduced some form of state subsidies for local and regional public transport in recent years. However, the extent of the subsidies differs in both scope and level, from the introduction of completely free public transport in smaller countries such as Luxembourg and Malta to subsidizing only regional train journeys in Portugal and Hungary.<br/><br/>o Based on the comparison between Germany and Austria, it is concluded that the context in which state-subsidized national ticketing systems are introduced is potentially decisive. Austria's introduction of the Klimaticket in 2021 was preceded by many years of work and a long-term upgrade of the railway network. This differs markedly from the introduction of the 9-Euro-Ticket in Germany, which was introduced ad hoc as an inflation fighting measure. It is reasonable to assume that long-term and strategic considerations reasonably have better prospects for successful introduction and duration.<br/>o National ticket systems coupled with state subsidies mean in most cases simultaneously simplification and increased economic accessibility for travelers. A ticket that is easy to grasp and covers an entire country makes it easy to navigate public transport and know how to get around the whole or parts of the country. This was also the motivation for the Swedish inquiry into a national ticketing system, which also pointed out the shortcomings of a voluntary system of the kind that exists today.<br/>o State subsidies and/or national ticket systems highlight the role of the state as an active actor in public transport. Although it remains to be seen whether and how long such commitments may last, all countries that have been discussed both briefly and in more detail have shown that many states have been willing to take a more active role in supporting local and regional public transport.<br/>o The introduction of state subsidies and national ticketing systems can, in both the short and long term, influence and strengthen the discourse on the role of public transport in society. The introduction of state subsidies can be interpreted as a partial decommodification of public transport, i.e., it reduces its function as a commodity sold on a market, which also means that it, to greater extent, may be treated a public resource.<br/>o The communicative value of a state subsidy and/or national ticket system should therefore not be underestimated. Most interviewees highlight the simplicity of a national ticket system combined with subsidies in several interviews as an important communicative or marketing advantage.<br/>o The opportunity costs of state subsidies for public transport tickets is also a crucial aspect for decisions on the introduction of subsidies and/or national ticket systems. This means what benefit the corresponding resources can make in the form of other investments in, e.g., infrastructure, traffic supply and an improved working environment. Several interviewees highlighted that they would rather have seen investments in expanded infrastructure, better working conditions or increased traffic supply rather than cheaper tickets for passengers. These are priorities that are important to keep in mind for decision-makers considering subsidized national tickets.<br/>o The analysis shows that there are no major institutional barriers to introducing state subsidies or a national ticket system in Sweden compared to Germany or Austria. Since Sweden is a unitary state and Germany and Austria are federal republics, it even appears to be simpler. The biggest obstacles in Sweden are the clearly institutionalized municipal autonomy that prevents the state from controlling the activities of municipalities and regions, and vice versa, a clear lack of willingness to take on a national leadership for public transport policy in Sweden, as well as the relatively low degree of transactions from the state level<br/>to regions and municipalities in Sweden compared to Germany and Austria.<br/>o Lastly, there is a need for further comparative and in-depth studies of state subsidies and national ticketing systems in Europe. To deepen knowledge about the effects of subsidies, continued studies both of effects on travel, economy, attitudes and other quantitative factors, as well as qualitative analyses of the policy processes and discourses surrounding the introduction of new economic instruments for public transport, are of relevance.}}, author = {{Portison Hylander, Jens and Koglin, Till}}, isbn = {{978-91-89407-53-4}}, language = {{swe}}, note = {{Working Paper}}, number = {{2}}, publisher = {{K2 - Nationellt kunskapscentrum för kollektivtrafik}}, series = {{K2 Working paper}}, title = {{En ny giv för kollektivtrafiken? : En kartläggning och fallstudie av nya europeiska statliga subventioner och nationella biljettsystem för kollektivtrafik}}, url = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/210099784/Portinson_Hylander_Koglin_2025_-_En_ny_giv_f_r_kollektivtrafiken.pdf}}, volume = {{2025}}, year = {{2025}}, }