Merger of the transport associations: standard ticket from Görlitz to Dresden!

Merger of the transport associations: standard ticket from Görlitz to Dresden!

In a groundbreaking decision on June 23rd, the Bautzen district council decided with a large majority that District Administrator Udo Witschas (CDU) should approve a merger of the Zvon and VVO transport associations. The vote resulted in 62 yes votes, 3 no votes and 9 abstentions. The decision-maker Witschas is called upon to work for a rapid standardization of tariffs in the future transport network. This merger is seen as essential to eliminate the serious price differences between the two existing associations.

A significant innovation in this planned merger is a uniform ticket that will be valid from Görlitz to Dresden and from Riesa to Pirna. The Bautzen district belongs to both the VVO in the west and the Zvon in the east and is therefore directly affected by the upcoming changes. District Administrator Witschas, who is entitled to vote in both association meetings, takes part in the discussions.

Decisions in the coming days

The Görlitz city council will address the issue of merger as early as June 26th, with concerns being expressed about the merger. Nevertheless, even if the city council rejects it, a majority in the Zvon association meeting could ensure the merger, as Bautzen and Görlitz can vote with a two-thirds majority. Zvon also plans to decide on the merger on June 27th. The Görlitz district council has already given the order for approval.

The need for a merger is underpinned not only by the ongoing price differences, but also by the need for improvements in local public transport. The talks about merging the transport associations have been going on for several years and are intended to create synergies in order to increase the performance level of bus and train services, according to Transport Minister Martin Dulig and other political actors.

Transport associations and their division

The merger specifically affects the Verkehrsverbund Oberlausitz-Niederschlesien (ZVON) and the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (ZVOE), both of which are responsible for different geographical areas. The ZVON covers the district of Görlitz and the old district of Bautzen, while the ZVOE is responsible for the old district of Kamenz and the districts of Meißen, Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains and Dresden. The aim is to integrate the ZVON into the ZVOE by July 2026.

In order to realize this merger, a declaration of intent was signed, which also includes support from the Free State of Saxony in the amount of 4 million euros. This should help to reduce the tariff chaos and achieve better connections in the region. Important points that will be discussed in the negotiations are the distribution of future income and subsidies as well as ensuring the operation of the Zittau-Kurort Oybin-Kurort Jonsdorf narrow-gauge railway. It is also guaranteed that existing cross-border tariff offers, such as the EURO-NEISSE ticket, will be continued.

The discussion about the merger of the two transport associations plays a crucial role for future mobility in the region. In view of the upcoming decisions, citizens could soon benefit from improved and uniform local transport, which will significantly benefit mobility in the regions.

In summary, important decisions for local public transport in eastern Germany are under discussion, and the current voices from Bautzen and Görlitz could pave the way to a more effective, uniform transport network. The next few days are likely to be crucial for the region's mobility strategy.

Further details can be found at Sächsische.de, smwa.sachsen.de and medienservice.sachsen.de.