Criticism of local transport: Free voters are calling for more transparency in the district council!

Criticism of local transport: Free voters are calling for more transparency in the district council!

In the Schwalm-Eder district, the voices of the free voters have become loud: they are calling for more transparency to the local transport association (NVV). Group leader Engin Eroglu sharply criticizes the district administration because he has discovered a costly system without adequate profitability test. The increased costs since the introduction of the one-hour clock have been in the line of fire of his criticism that the parties now want to treat in the upcoming district meeting. The district emphasizes that the additional costs were clearly communicated from the start and that the one-hour clock is based on a majority decision that was taken by the political committees in northern Hesse. The exact figures for these additional costs are currently in the compilation by the NVV and the Schwalm-Eder district.

District Administrator Winfried Becker rejected the accusations of the free voters and sees no reason to assume that there is a lack of transparency. The demand of the structure of the NVV and RMV transport associations is also not shared by the district. Instead, Becker demands suggestions for alternative structures and emphasizes the positive development of the passenger numbers: In 2024 there was an increase of 10.3 percent in regional bus traffic, while the nationwide average was only 7.3 percent. Strengthening the public transport offer is important to keep the region attractive for companies and as a place of residence.

New bus offer from December 15, 2024

An answer to the criticism could be on the upcoming offer offensive of the NVV, which will come into force from December 15, 2024. In the region, more than 30 new bus lines and 73 new vehicles will be used. This initiative provides for a significant improvement in the bus offer in the southern Schwalm-Eder district and adjacent areas such as Bad Zwesten and Borken. A continuous bus connection from Bad Wildungen via Borken to Homberg will be set up, while a weekly hour is offered between 5 and 9 p.m. between Borken and Fritzlar.

The new infrastructure results from a legally prescribed Europe -wide tender. The award for the three bus bundles went to travel service in Bonte, travel and frölich line. Green buses will be available that are air -conditioned and offer space for wheelchairs and strollers. Safety standards such as turning assistants and camera monitoring also make the buses a safe choice for passengers who are informed about a modern passenger information system.

public transport as an important alternative

The importance of local public transport (public transport) should not be underestimated. According to [Statista] (https://de.statista.com/themen/12854/Oeffenter-- Personenahverkehr-oepnv/), however, only a few use public transport compared to previous years. In 2023, the use of public transport is still below the 2019 values. It is essential that the transport providers ensure a high level of reliability and easy access to the services in order to move more people to switch to buses and trains.

The Germany ticket introduced in May 2023, which enables Germany -wide use of public transport at an attractive price, could also increase the number of users. Forecasts indicate 13 million users: inside, with possible another two million by the end of the year. The continuous improvement of the public transport offer remains a challenge, but the federal government has increased the funding in order to promote the expansion of the transport infrastructure and to keep the public transport capable.

Overall, the current development shows that local transport in the Schwalm-Eder district should continue to become more important. On the one hand, the demands for more transparency and a better review of the costs, on the other hand, are the exciting new offers that will soon conquer the streets.