Since 2020, transport companies have been struggling with declining passenger numbers due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite this lack of income, services have been provided without any significant restrictions over the past two years. This was possible because the regional districts of the transport association supported the transport companies from the outset with liquidity assistance and compensation payments for the fare decreases. While the federal and state governments have provided financial compensation for the fall in revenue with their rescue packages, this is not planned for the cost explosion in the energy sector. This is what the districts and transport companies had to learn from the latest publications by the Ministry of Finance.
For local authorities such as the district of Ludwigsburg, this means that the dramatic cost increases, which have reached existentially threatening proportions for the companies, must be financed purely by the municipalities. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier emphasized that the districts are aware of their responsibility and will accept it. The isolated cases of insolvency that have already occurred would make the dramatic and urgent nature of the situation clear. "Many of our citizens, but also a large number of our companies, are dependent on a functioning public transport system," continued Allgaier. "We must do everything we can to ensure that our transport companies are still able to provide our passengers with the necessary public transport services during and after the crisis." According to current estimates, the Ludwigsburg district will have to provide more than three million euros for this in 2022.
Shortly after the war of aggression in Ukraine and the resulting explosion in energy prices, which in March were around 70 percent higher than in the previous year, the districts of the association had already held initial talks and looked for ways to support the public transport sector. The contractual adjustments that have now been agreed are unique in the country in their current form and are thanks to the close cooperation between the parties involved.
Last Tuesday, representatives of 23 transport companies from the Stuttgart Transport and Tariff Association (VVS) came together at the invitation of the four districts in the Ludwigsburg district office to sign the supplementary agreements. The signing of the contracts was attended by the managing directors of the transport companies as well as representatives of the regional districts and the VVS. District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier welcomed the companies on behalf of the district administrators of the network districts and once again made it clear that announcements must be followed by action.
The districts are aware of the challenges that the industry will have to overcome in the coming period. The districts would support the companies as a reliable partner. Even if the state no longer sees itself in a position to support local public transport with a diesel pact, contrary to earlier assurances, the Verbundlandkreise would stand by their word.
