Roads in public transport: Verdi warns of catastrophic episodes for northern Saxony!

Roads in public transport: Verdi warns of catastrophic episodes for northern Saxony!

In the district of North Saxony, the announcement of cuts in local public transport (public transport) ensures dismayed reactions. According to the information from Torgauer Zeitung the transport company nordsachsen Mobil (Nomo) will either reduce or completely set numerous bus lines on December 15, when changing the timetable change. A total of 30 lines are affected, but student traffic is not restricted. Inflation and material prices that have shot up after the Ukraine War are responsible for these drastic steps. Those responsible also lead the inadequate financial resources of the municipalities into the field, which are unable to cover the double expenses for local transport.

The Verdi union expressed sharp criticism of the decision. According to Michael Sommer, union secretary, it is unacceptable that the wages of employees are used as the reason for the savings. Sommer emphasizes that the real causes in the inadequate financing by the federal and state governments are. These plans also met with a broad lack of understanding in public, especially in social media, where auto -friendliness and lack of future prospects were criticized for rural areas. Also the DGB Sachsen pointing out that although wages in Saxony are increasing faster, but the economic inequality in the low-wage sector is very worried, especially in regions Görlitz and the Erzgebirge district, where the proportion of low earners is still extremely high.

reform needs and future prospects

While the cuts are severely concerned with rural public transport, the district of North Saxony has initiated plans for a flexible call bus system called Flexa Nordsachsen to replace the failing bus trips. This system should be available throughout the district from December to ensure certain mobility again. Sommer from Verdi warns, however, that the quality of the entire public transport and the working conditions of the employees could suffer from the current austerity measures. A race for redistribution of funds seems unavoidable, especially in view of the upcoming collective bargaining in municipal local transport in early 2025.