Plauen tramway in financial difficulties - district wants to help

The Plauen "Bimm" is to continue running: In future, the Vogtland district wants to provide financial assistance to the tramway, which is steeped in tradition. To this end, individual areas of Plauener Straßenbahn GmbH would become the responsibility of the district, explained District Administrator Thomas Hennig (CDU) at the presentation of the plans. A ten-year contract and 1.5 million euros from the district are planned for this.

From 2027, for example, Plauen's city bus services could be covered by the district. Around 13 bus drivers are to be taken on if they agree to "slightly lower pay", according to Hennig. The entire public relations work and a service point of Plauener Straßenbahn GmbH are also to be transferred to the district-owned Verkehrsverbund Vogtland GmbH from next year - including specialist staff.

Help from the Free State too?

The plans are now putting pressure on the Free State - around 1.5 million euros would also have to come from the state as a subsidy. This is because the annual deficits of Plauener Straßenbahn GmbH amount to around 4.5 million euros, as Mayor Steffen Zenner (CDU) said. There is also a large investment backlog. The tracks and power supply urgently need to be renewed. Some of the 14 streetcars have been running since 1981.

The city itself also wants to contribute 1.5 million euros, said Zenner: "But we need support from the Free State. But there have been no promises yet." It will also be more expensive for passengers: from August, a one-way ticket on the Plauen streetcar will cost 20 cents more - it currently costs 1.90 euros. This is far below the price level of other Saxon cities, said the Lord Mayor. A second adjustment to the transportation tariffs is planned for one year later.

The plans to save the Plauen "Bimm", as the streetcar is affectionately known colloquially, are to be presented to the district council as a resolution on June 26. The Plauen streetcar has a route network of 34.5 kilometers and has shaped the city's public transport system since 1894.