German public transport passenger numbers by mode

In Germany, the most passengers used buses and trains to get to their destinations, as well as getting on local public transport. Around 10.8 billion passengers used the former in 2023, around 7.5 percent more than in 2022. Local public transport accounted for the largest share, with around 10.7 billion passengers, covering around 99 percent of all scheduled services in Germany. Various public transport types are available.

Since May 2023, the so called "Deutschland-Ticket", which translated to "Germany-ticket" is available and allows use of all public transport in all of Germany for 49 euros per month. The low cost of public transportation in combination with lifted corona rules led to an increase in passenger numbers on public transport.

All aboard

Public transportation choices among commuters depend on many factors. These range from availability (some German cities do not have trams, for example), ticket prices, safety while commuting, logistics and time concerns. In terms of regular long-distance transport with trains and buses in particular, significantly more travelers used the train. This was also true during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic years, 2020 and 2021. Germany is, after all, the home of Deutsche Bahn.

Daily commute

Based on recent surveys, commuters use a variety of transportation modes to get to work, school and university. The most used of these is their own or a household car, followed by public transportation – an understandable choice for those living in cities. Some also hop on a bike.

Number of passengers transported on public transport in Germany from 2021 to 2023, by mode of transport (in millions)

Characteristic	2021	2022	2023
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Release date

April 2024

More information

Region

Germany

Survey time period

2021 and 2023

Supplementary notes

* Preliminary results.

** Total scheduled local transport: company journeys Local transport services by rail, tram and bus: Transport journeys

Companies with local regular transport which transported at least 250,000 passengers that year, as well as all companies with long-distance transport schedules.
>br>Trams of conventional build and city railways (including elevated, underground and overhead).

Through the inclusion of those who change (a passenger uses several means of transport of one company during a trip), the sum of the number of passengers by means of transport is higher than the total number of passengers in local regular transport.

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