The city of Plauen, located in the Vogtland region in the German Federal State of Saxony, has had an electric tram system since 1894. For a long time, it served the approximately 65,000 people who now live in the city exclusively as a means of local public transport. It was not until 1995 that a bus route was added to the services provided by the local transport operator; otherwise, the four tram lines still form the backbone of public transport.
No more trams in the future?
It is somewhat surprising, therefore, that in recent months serious considerations have emerged to replace the entire tram system with buses. Unsurprisingly, these ideas stem primarily from the municipality’s strained financial situation. Disproportionately rising personnel and energy costs, as well as increased expenditure for the ageing fleet, combined with direct cost comparisons with the electric buses currently in use, have intensified the pressure on decision-makers. The replacement of the 36 to 45 year-old Tatra KT4D articulated trams, which still make up the majority of the fleet, is due in the coming years. At present, they operate the 17 km network together with nine two-section low-floor Bombardier trams dating from 2013–2017.
However, opposition to the abolition of the tram system in Plauen quickly formed among the city’s residents, culminating in a petition in which around 23,000 people called for a revision of the concept while retaining the rail network. Given a total population of roughly 65,000, this is undoubtedly a significant figure and made it clear to most stakeholders that the issue can hardly be decided on purely economic grounds at the political level.
A new operating model
The core of the current considerations is the development of a joint model for tram and bus operations that will secure public transport in Plauen in the long term. The Plauener Straßenbahn GmbH (PSB) is to remain a wholly owned subsidiary of the city of Plauen and will continue to be responsible for the infrastructure. The tram operation, depot, and all associated infrastructure will therefore remain under municipal ownership and control.
As part of the reorganisation, it is envisaged that city bus services will in future be provided by Plauener Omnibusbetrieb GmbH (POB), an operator of the Vogtland Public Transport Association (ZVV). The electric buses currently operated by PSB could thus be transferred to POB in the long term. The aim of this restructuring is a clearer division of responsibilities and a more efficient organisation of the overall system, without calling into question the tram system as its central pillar.
Financing is key
Future financing will play a key role. In order to stabilise the system on a long-term basis, the current structural deficit of around €4.5 million per year is to be shared among several parties. It is proposed that the city of Plauen, the Vogtland district, and the Free State of Saxony will each contribute approximately €1.5 million. This three-pillar model forms the basis for a sustainable long-term funding structure for public transport.
The Vogtland district is already contributing around €1.32 million annually through fiscal equalisation payments. This amount is to be increased to approximately €1.5 million, with a corresponding adjustment pending approval by the district council. In addition, subsidies from the transport association amounting to around €1.5 million per year are provided. Together, this creates a significantly more stable financial foundation for operations.
A revised overall concept for the future of urban transport is therefore intended to focus on more cost-effective operations while retaining the existing tram infrastructure, alongside a long-term adaptation of the network to changing travel behaviour. The tram system would continue to form the backbone of the network, complemented by flexible bus services. The decisive factor will be whether it proves possible to combine the necessary investments in infrastructure and vehicles with a stable funding base shared among multiple stakeholders—only then can public transport in Plauen be secured in the long term.
