Bus operator Frölich fights against DB-Regio: overcrowded school buses!

Bus operator Frölich fights against DB-Regio: overcrowded school buses!

In northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, buses are the backbone of public transport for many people. Every year, the buses in the North Hessian Transport Association (NVV) cover almost 27 million kilometers, and passengers from the Werra-Meißner district and the Kassel district are currently drawing attention to untenable conditions. Overcrowded school buses are the order of the day here, which is causing discontent in the region. One student even filmed a bus with the back door open due to a defect - an image that represents the problem.

In the midst of this situation, Bernd Frölich, a local bus operator, makes serious allegations against DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbH. The railway subsidiary has been operating three lines in the NVV since 2023, but Frölich sees himself at a disadvantage as a result of the awarding of these licenses. “I lost the contract due to government subsidies for our competitors,” said the entrepreneur. These protests are not new, as Frölich submitted a state aid complaint to the EU Commission in April 2024. He received feedback from Brussels on August 7, 2025, but a decision is still pending.

Criticism and resistance

Deutsche Bahn is not letting these accusations slide and emphasizes that the award criteria are determined by the client. The NVV, in turn, describes the procurement procedures as transparent and legal. The conflict between Frölich and DB Regio shows how important the awarding processes are in the transport landscape, especially when you consider that DB Regio Bus Mitte, with 5.2 million kilometers, operates the line in competition with Frölich reisen with 5.7 million kilometers.

But not everything is lost for Frölich. He recently won a contract for a bus route in the Schwalm-Eder district that was previously operated by the DB. This success shows that despite the challenges, there are opportunities that need to be exploited.

The customer perspective

However, the main focus of passengers is the quality of services and reliability. The overcrowding of school buses is repeatedly emphasized and complaints from users are increasing. The demand for a functioning system is high and citizens expect those responsible to take the situation seriously. It is time to put both the concerns of business owners and the needs of passengers at the forefront. After all, buses are not only a means of transport, but also a part of the quality of life for many.

It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the next few months. The discussions about competitive conditions between private and public transport are more topical than ever and underline the urgency of offering a functioning and fair transport route for everyone involved.