Rostock (dpa/mv) - The Association of German Transport Companies in the North (VDV Nord) sees the federal and state governments as having a duty to ensure greater expansion of local public transport. With the Germany ticket, there will be an attractively priced tariff offer for bus and train journeys in MV and beyond from May, said VDV Nord chairman Jan Bleis on Monday after a board meeting in Rostock. "But that's of little use to people in the country if they don't find any useful public transport services where they live, have unreasonably long journey times, can't get home in the evenings or can't go on a trip at the weekend without a car."
The association demanded a clear commitment from the Schwerin state government to responsibility for all public transport. The municipalities would have to be given much more support if buses and trams were to be used across the board. When introducing new, cheaper tickets, financial compensation for the transport companies must be guaranteed at the same time in order to secure their liquidity and economic results. The industry is ready for better public transport in the north-east. However, the VDV warned that it would not work without financial efforts from the state and federal government.
