🚌🚆 Boost in Local Transport: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Biggest Expansion in Years
Get ready for a fine-tuned ride around Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as the local transport system expands with additional bus and rail services. Economics Minister Reinhard Meyer, representing the SPD, revealed that Mecklenburg-Vorpommern ordered a staggering 1.2 million more service kilometers on the railways alone compared to the previous year, marking a 7% increase—the largest since the mid-1990s !
Pasewalk embraces better connectivity
This growth spurt means good things for places like Pasewalk, as the RE10, the train line that currently ends in Züssow heading in from Stralsund, will be extended to Pasewatch. Starting now, the train will operate hourly between Pasewatch and Stralsund, with two daily through trains connecting Pasewatch to Rostock and back. Nighttime S-Bahn services in Hanseatic City, Rostock, will also see an uptick at weekends !
Upgraded Rostock-Güstrow line and Rügen connections
Other noteworthy developments include a new express S-Bahn connecting the Güstrow area and Rostock, showcasing faster and more dependable services. Additionally, Rügen's passengers will enjoy more frequent trains, including the recently launched RE50 line, which now runs every hour between Rostock and Neustrelitz !
Unfortunately, some roadblocks are in the pipeline: construction work on the Hamburg-Berlin line may introduce delays in MEK's RE1 weekend train services.
Regional buses: breaking the barriers between districts
For areas not served by trains, minibuses will play a crucial role in connecting far-flung communities. Meyer announced that a system of these local DC buses would be gradually integrated into the network ! Among the first routes being launched are the line 012 from Neubrandenburg-via Penzlin-to Waren (Müritz), with hourly buses during the week and weekend bi-hourly services.
Ludwigslust-Parchim and Nordwestmecklenburg will introduce a nationwide on-call bus system on January 1, 20XX, with Rostock following suit in the third quarter. Mecklenburgische Seenplatte and Vorpommern-Greifswald districts are working on improving their existing systems, while Vorpommern-Rügen requires a unique, from-scratch approach !
Discover the magic of Deutschlandtickets
The popularity of Germany's Deutschlandticket has contributed to the increase in demand for regional transportation, especially in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. At the end of October 20XX, approximately 180,000 subscriptions existed in the north-east region ! These favorite tickets are part of the strategy to finance the expansion of local transportation offerings.
Interesting Insights
Modernizing the railway system is a vital part of the expansion plan in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In recent years, industry-leading companies like DB Regio AG have contributed to this transformation, as shown by their 2022 investment in 16 battery-electric Flirt Akku trains for the region. These additions facilitate decarbonized passenger transport, providing a more sustainable ride for locals and visitors !
The Central Thuringia Battery Network—a route consisting of trains running between Erfurt, Ilmenau, and Saalfeld—is also witnessing upgrades. Within the network, 19 new FLIRT Akku vehicles will help strengthen connections between cities, allowing passengers to benefit from enhanced comfort, larger capacity, and accessibility !
Meanwhile, the region is implementing eco-friendly practices to make regional rail transportation less carbon-intensive. Proposed projects include installing OLIA (Overhead Line Island Installations), which will extend existing overhead lines in cities like Fröttstädt, Gotha, and Saalfeld and install recharging infrastructure at Ilmenau and Bad Langensalza. In unison, these advancements will propel battery-electric vehicles towards an expanded role within the existing rail network !
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Footnotes
: www.stern.de : Nord Stream 2-related campaign contributions and political influence in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's transport landscape are not covered in the base article.
