Benefits of public transport in Germany are three times higher than its costs, according to a study conducted by MCube, led by the Technical University of Munich and commissioned by Deutsche Bahn’s Zukunft Nahverkehr (Future of Local Transport) initiative.
DB notes that when it comes to public transport in Germany, discussions often focus primarily on operational costs. Until now, there has been a lack of reliable calculations regarding its economic benefits. However, this study has, for the first time, shown that every euro invested in public transport generates three euros in value for the German economy. In other words, each investment pays off threefold.
“Public transport is not just a means of getting around, a climate protector, and part of essential public services – it’s also a driver of the economy. Thanks to the MCube study, we now know the true value of public transport. This should provide an additional incentive for both federal and state governments to further expand services,” said Jan Schilling, Member of the Board at DB Regio.
Operating buses, trams, underground trains, and regional trains across Germany costs EUR 25 billion annually. However, these operational costs are a worthwhile investment, as according to the study, the benefits of public transport contribute EUR 75 billion in economic value each year, compared to the EUR 25 billion in expenditure.
“We’ve done the maths using reliable, transparent, and scientific data, providing a solid foundation for informed decisions and rational political debate. Public transport strengthens retail, tourism, and the job market, and eases the burden on commuters. But above all, it saves the economy money – by reducing road accidents, land consumption, noise, air pollution, and CO₂ emissions,” explained Oliver May-Beckmann, Managing Director of MCube and co-author of the study.
A significant share of the economic value is generated directly within the public transport sector itself, as well as in industries closely linked to it, such as vehicle manufacturers and cleaning services. In other sectors, public transport has an even greater overall impact. In retail, part of the revenue directly depends on public transport users, and tourism – particularly in cities and holiday regions – benefits from good public transport access. Moreover, public transport supports productive employment, as buses and trains enable people to reach their workplaces and help businesses find suitable employees.
The benefits of public transport are also reflected in the reduction of external costs, which must be borne by society as a whole, often in the form of taxpayer money. These include road accidents, land consumption, noise, air pollution, and climate-related damage – all of which generate social costs. If today’s public transport services were entirely shifted to private motorised transport, it would result in an additional EUR 9 billion in costs each year.
Share on:
