The State Association of Bavarian Bus Companies (LBO) and DB Regio Bus warn that the high diesel prices are jeopardizing the maintenance of local public transport. Leaving buses at the depot “is now cheaper than contractual service,” says a letter that was sent to the Bavarian Ministry of Transport, among others, and is available to the SZ. For many companies, after the failures they have just survived due to the corona pandemic, “the financial knockout blow” is now threatening.
Should buses actually stay in the depots soon to save fuel and costs, this would affect school transport, among other things. Especially in rural areas, the distances are long – and because of the high fuel prices, the costs are currently high. You pay about 23 cents more per kilometer, says Jörg Konrad, head of DB Regio Bus, the largest bus provider in Bavaria. “As a company, you can’t compensate for that anywhere.” In their letter, DB Regio Bus and LBO therefore ask the Free State for financial support.
Alternatively, a temporary cap “financially secured by the Free State of, for example, 1.50 euros per liter of diesel” could help. In addition, the contracts between the authorities – usually the municipalities – and the transport companies would have to “be supplemented by remuneration adjustments”. In logistics, too, companies are complaining about the recent big jumps in fuel prices, which could not be calculated in this way. Driving under the previously negotiated conditions is no longer economically possible.
The Ministry of Transport initially announced on Wednesday that part of the public transport allocations would be paid out early. With the help of this total of around 55 million euros, the municipalities should bring forward payments to the companies and, at best, calm their liquidity situation.
Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) also called for measures from the federal government; Bavaria, together with North Rhine-Westphalia, has already presented a “concept for reducing fuel costs” in the Bundesrat. However, LBO Managing Director Stephan Rabl does not go far enough in bringing forward the payout: As a result, no more euros flow. “A solution that leaves the additional fuel costs simply and in full with the companies is not a solution, but window dressing.”