Traffic - Frankfurt reduces local transport services due to staff shortage
Frankfurt is thinning out the timetable for subway trains, buses and streetcars. "This is the city's response to the ongoing shortage of drivers", said Volker Siefert (Green Party), head of the transport department, on Wednesday. The aim is "a reliable service" and "an honest timetable". The adjustments are to apply from 27 January - initially until the 2024 summer vacations.
"No connection will be discontinued, every stop will continue to be served - but intervals will be extended and parallel connections discontinued," explained Tom Reinhold, Managing Director of the municipal transport company Traffiq. In addition, longer subway trains and articulated buses will be used to accommodate more passengers. For passengers, this means only a few minutes longer waiting times, but greater reliability.
According to the department, more than ten percent of journeys are currently canceled in some areas. According to Michael Rüffer, Managing Director of Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (VGF), the reasons for this are the shortage of skilled workers and a high sickness rate. The city hopes that the reduced service will also provide sufficient reserves to avoid short-term travel cancellations due to illness.
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- The staff shortage in Frankfurt's public transportation system has led to extensive changes in the city's timetable for subway trains, buses, and streetcars in Frankfurt on the Main, affecting the municipalities within Hesse.
- Despite the reduction in services, passengers should expect only minor increases in waiting times but improved overall reliability, as longer subway trains and articulated buses will be utilized to accommodate more passengers.
- The municipal transport company Traffiq, which manages Frankfurt's public transportation, expects a decrease in travel cancellations due to illness, as the reduced service will provide adequate reserves to cover any absences.
- The extended intervals and discontinuation of parallel connections in Frankfurt's public transportation system will impact a significant portion of travelers, as more than ten percent of journeys have currently been canceled in certain areas, attributable to driving staff shortages and high sickness rates.
Source: www.stern.de
