Brandenburg an der Havel: Dilemma around new trams is heading!

Brandenburg an der Havel: Dilemma around new trams is heading!

In Brandenburg an der Havel, a critical situation regarding the procurement of new trams is currently being observed. While the first four copies of ŠKODA transport are produced in the Czech Pilsen, it remains unclear whether the city actually receives the targeted twelve lanes. The six other trams are currently not financed, and the city is eagerly awaiting support from the country, which has only been promised without obligation.

The uncertainty is reinforced by the fact that the old state government is only in office, and it remains to be seen whether reliable commitments will come for the millions required. The situation is particularly urgent because the Brandenburg (VBBR) transport company must give a binding order commitment by the end of the year if you do not want to lose the conditions signed by ŠKODA.

Hurried decision necessary for the city

The current price binding is crucial: at the moment, every new tram costs 2.9 million euros. If Brandenburg does not agree on the Havel in time, the following railways could even cost up to four million euros. "That would be a real blow to our budget," says the managing director of VBBR, Jörg Vogler.

Compared to the rest of the region, it turns out that other cities such as Frankfurt (Oder) have already granted loans for their new trams. Cottbus, on the other hand, is on the safe side with the financing of his 20 new lanes due to the billion -dollar grants from the coal phase -out.

Search for solutions within Stadtholding

For Brandenburg an der Havel it will be challenging to find a solution. At a meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Stadtholding Technical Works in Brandenburg (TWB) on September 24th, the necessary investment grants discussed. The VBBR initially hoped for a financial injection of 1.35 million euros for 2025. However, the city can only contribute 333,000 euros, which leads to a deficit of over one million euros.

The city's treasurer, Thomas Barz (CDU), indicates that this minus must be covered by a loan. In addition, a special meeting of the TWB supervisory board is underway to create more clarity in the matter of tram procurement. The fact is that the transport company only depends on the city of Brandenburg an der Havel as its only partner.

A further delay from the new funds required by the state parliament, which can only be decided in spring 2025, learn whether the transport companies can fall back on the hoped -for financial support from the country. Due to the current political situation, this could bring Brandenburg an der Havel into a risky location, since the order from ŠKODA transportation may have to be submitted without secure financing.

The developments are still exciting and show how important timely decisions are in local politics. The future public transport projects could be strongly influenced by the current situation, whereby the city should definitely take a risk here to secure the necessary trams in good time.

A detailed report on this topic can be found here On www.maz-online.de.