Strained financial situation - Possibly fewer train journeys from the end of 2025
In Lower Saxony, there could be fewer train journeys offered in local and regional transport from the end of next year due to financial constraints. The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft (LNVG) spokesperson told the German Press Agency in Hannover that potential cancellations would be examined from December 2025.
All transport contracts would be reviewed. Potential cancellations should not reportedly burden individual regions disproportionately. "Which journeys could possibly be affected remains to be clarified by autumn," it is further stated.
No savings amount specified
The LNVG orders approximately 450 million Euros in train services annually. The possible savings have not yet been determined. The spokesperson emphasizes that no cancellations are currently planned for the 2025 timetable. However, there have been no significant additional orders in recent years.
Besides the labor shortage, rising costs for energy and personnel are causing problems for some railway companies in the state. The Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft is responsible for transportation planning and the development of train schedules in Schienenpersonennahverkehr (SPNV) in Lower Saxony and signs contracts with railway companies. According to the Transport Ministry, there are other agencies responsible for public transportation in the Hanover region and in the greater Braunschweig area.
No train cancellations planned in Hanover region
A spokesperson for the Hanover region confirms that there are currently no plans to cancel train journeys. Regions President Steffen Krach (SPD) states: "To inspire people with sustainable mobility and encourage them to switch from cars to public transportation, we need reliability in ticket prices and connections. The state must ensure this."
A spokesperson for the Regional Association Greater Braunschweig also reports that there are currently no plans for fewer train journeys. Bahn-CEO Richard Lutz recently emphasized that no cancellations are planned for the coming year. Several transportation providers in Lower Saxony's local and regional transport confirm that they have no plans to change their offerings. They refer to the contracting of the train schedule being the responsibility of the agency.
Savings announced in another northern federal state
Lower Saxony is not the only federal state where fewer train journeys could be offered. Schleswig-Holstein is even further along in this process. The transport minister of Schleswig-Holstein, Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU), announced savings in local transport a few weeks ago. It is reportedly about reducing 2% of the contracted transportation services on the railways starting from the coming year.
Transport Ministry: No cancellations planned for 2025
A spokesperson for the Transport Ministry in Hannover confirms that no cancellations are planned in the SPNV for the coming year. Lower Saxony will reportedly receive around 960 million Euros in regionalization funds from the federal government this year, and around 30 million Euros more in the following year. Most of this money is used by federal states to finance transportation offerings in local transport.
The spokesperson stresses the importance of checking whether this money is sufficient in the face of potential significant cost increases, such as for energy, operating, and personnel costs. They are therefore advocating for an increase in federal funds.
Traffic Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) and the Regional Transport Authority recently presented plans to double passenger numbers in the state by 2040. This includes tighter schedules and additional connections.
CDU Politician: Regional Transport Authority needs more money
The passenger association Pro Bahn warns against cuts. The actions of the Regional Transport Authority are unfortunately necessary given the financial situation, says the chairman Malte Diehl. He demands more money from the Federal Government and the State, otherwise the recently presented concept for more passengers cannot be implemented.
CDU Transport Politician Marcel Scharrelmann demands more money from the state government for the Regional Transport Authority. "Germany ticket, renovation, reactivation and expansion plans, electrification of tracks, buses and trains. All that is not available at zero tariff", says the opposition politician. AfD Transport Politician Omid Najafi accuses the red-green state government of poor financial management in public transport. It is obvious that a "wish-list politics" is being pursued in public transport.
- Despite financial constraints, potential cancellations of train journeys in local and regional traffic in Lower Saxony from the end of next year are being examined by the LNVG in Hannover, starting from December 2025.
- The spokesperson for the Hanover region affirmatively states that there are currently no plans to cancel train journeys, emphasizing the importance of reliable ticket prices and connections to encourage sustainable mobility.
- Claus Ruhe Madsen, the transport minister of Schleswig-Holstein (CDU), announced savings in local transport by reducing 2% of the contracted transportation services on the railways starting from the coming year.
- The Transport Ministry in Hannover confirms that no cancellations are planned in the SPNV for the coming year, acknowledging the need to reassess whether regionalization funds are sufficient in the face of rising costs.
- In Lower Saxony's regional traffic, several transportation providers confirm no plans to change their offerings, with train schedule contracting being the responsibility of the agency.
- The Regional Association Greater Braunschweig reports no current plans for fewer train journeys, as recent emphasized by Bahn-CEO Richard Lutz that no cancellations are planned for the coming year.
- Malte Diehl, the chairman of the passenger association Pro Bahn, warns against cuts to local transport, arguing that the recently presented concept for more passengers cannot be implemented without increased funding from the Federal Government and the State.
