Study Reveals Slow Progress in Urban Public Transport Expansion

The expansion of public transportation services in major German cities is lagging significantly, according to a recent study commissioned by the environmental organization Greenpeace. The findings indicate that in many urban areas, including Berlin, the public transport system has even seen reductions in service over the past two years.

The report, which has been made available to the press, shows that only one-third of the cities surveyed have managed to expand their public transport offerings by more than one percent since 2023. To meet Germany's climate goals, it is essential that public transport services increase by at least 4.5 percent annually. Currently, only Leipzig has achieved such growth, boasting a remarkable 14.6 percent increase in its public transport services.

In contrast, Berlin experienced the most significant decline, with a reduction of 7.1 percent in public transport availability. Other cities that faced notable decreases include Kiel (-3.7 percent), Cologne (-3.1 percent), Frankfurt am Main (-2.8 percent), and Karlsruhe (-2.5 percent). Meanwhile, twelve cities showed minimal changes, with fluctuations of plus or minus one percent.

Greenpeace's transport expert emphasized that public transport is crucial for achieving a sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system. However, she noted that the current expansion efforts are insufficient, highlighting the need for increased financial support from the federal government to stimulate growth in bus and rail services.

Despite the decline in services in major cities, Leipzig has taken proactive steps to enhance its public transport network. The city has introduced a 'Future Line Network' plan, which aims to improve services in three phases. Since 2024, Leipzig has added new bus lines and increased the frequency of several bus and tram routes.

One of the primary challenges contributing to the stagnation or decline in public transport services is a shortage of personnel and inadequate funding. For instance, Berlin is struggling with a lack of bus drivers and an outdated subway fleet, which has led to frequent delays and service interruptions. Although new subway trains are expected to gradually enter service starting in September, the existing public transport system still offers a commendable level of service, according to Greenpeace.

The data for this study was collected from the 30 largest cities in Germany, focusing on the number of scheduled departures based on publicly available timetable data. However, it was noted that data for Bielefeld, Bremen, and Mannheim were incomplete.