On the way to the mobility turnaround – public transport is climate protection

Mobility behavior was influenced by the corona pandemic in the 2021 financial year. The financing amount of the city of Oberhausen was nevertheless reduced again. The current financial year is characterized by the further expansion of electromobility.

A look back: The 2021 financial year in figures

In 2021, public and private life was influenced by regular amendments to the law due to the infection process. Effects on local public transport have not failed to materialise, both in terms of passenger numbers and the earnings situation.  

For the year 2021, STOAG's income amounted to EUR 34.315 thousand and was thus 2,51% below the previous year's figure (EUR 35.198 thousand). They are made up of sales proceeds, interest income, the public transport flat rate, the public transport rescue package and other operating income.

Total expenses of EUR 26,2 thousand (previous year: EUR 131 thousand) were incurred for the transport of 432 million passengers, for the maintenance of 52.191 buses, six trams and the public transport infrastructure, and for the employment of 51.104 employees.

At EUR 17.631 thousand, STOAG's operating result shows a need for subsidies that is 5,3% higher than in the previous year (EUR 16.737 thousand).

Income from investments and securities increased and amounted to EUR 10.293 thousand compared to EUR 7.689 thousand in the previous year. The reason for this is the distribution of evo AG, which was reduced by around 50% in the previous year. The remaining financing amount for the city of Oberhausen was significantly reduced – it amounts to EUR 8.278 thousand (previous year EUR 10.086 thousand).

In order to maintain the public transport offer in high quality and to the usual extent in the future, STOAG made investments of EUR 2021 thousand in the 1.458 financial year, including the renovation of the Lipperfeld and Fahrnhorststraße bridges from the public transport investment program and the equipment of all vehicles with WiFi. Despite the influence of the pandemic, STOAG was able to implement and further develop all planned projects thanks to the support of all employees.

Corona has led to a decrease in passenger numbers of around 24% compared to the pre-corona year 2019. A total of 2021 million passengers used STOAG buses and trams in the 26,2 financial year (2019: 34,5 million, 2020: 23,7 million).

The number of passengers is currently increasing, in particular due to the inexpensive 9-euro ticket. Today, the figures are 95% of the same period in 2019. Whether passenger numbers will recover in the long term will depend on an attractive successor plan.

Looking ahead: projects in 2022

9 euro ticket
As a reaction to the increased fuel costs, the federal government has decided on a relief package for citizens. As part of this package, the €9 ticket was introduced for a promotional period of three months. To date, STOAG has sold a total of 90.000 tickets, plus around 22.800 subscribers every month who also benefit from the 9-euro ticket between June and August. The resulting loss of income for the transport company will be compensated.

Directly after the 9-euro ticket, there is a campaign in NRW in September and October for subscribers who can use their subscription ticket on all weekends, on German Unity Day and during the autumn holidays at no additional cost during this period and can travel throughout NRW accompanied by other people.

It is unclear how the further tariff development will look like. Experience with the 9-euro ticket has shown that the simplicity and affordability of the ticket are key criteria for acceptance. The aim is to enable citizens to use public transport with a simple and attractive tariff model, also in line with the defined climate targets. Experience with the €9 ticket has shown that this works.

Electromobility
The implementation of electromobility at STOAG is progressing. At the end of the year, 15 battery-electric LF-122 solo buses will be delivered by VDL Bus & Coach. This is a whole new generation of electric buses that will be driving in Germany for the first time - a German premiere.

From January, the buses will be used on routes SB97/952, 953, 956 and 961. According to the principle of "opportunity charging", the HV storage batteries are supplied with energy at four charging locations at the end stops in the route network:

• Everslohstraße – lines SB97/952 (Sterkrade Bf - Anne-Frank-RS- Everslohstr.)
• Wehrstraße – lines 953/961 (Wehrstr - Bottrop-Spechtstr.)
• Goerdelerstrasse – Line 956 (Wehrstrasse - Goerdelerstrasse)
• Hirschkamp – Line 954 (Sterkrade Bf – Hirschkamp)

The construction of further charging stations at end points in the network is planned in the future. In addition, 18 charging stations will be set up at the depot - the construction work began in August.

These construction and procurement measures are funded by the federal and state governments. For the charging infrastructure, 90% of the investment costs are subsidized by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The additional investment expenditure for the procurement of battery-electric buses is funded with 60% by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and 20% by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. Here, additional expenditure means the difference in acquisition costs between diesel and battery-electric buses.

For future bus procurement, STOAG has already submitted a project outline for funding for a further 13 solo buses and 9 articulated buses with battery-electric drive technology to the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport. If the decision is positive, STOAG will submit a subsidy application for a subsidy of 80% of the additional investment expenditure.

In view of the defined climate goals and the development of public transport in the Oberhausen route network, STOAG's goal is to convert all bus operations to battery-electric by the beginning of the next decade.

Revierflitzer®
The on-demand offer in Oberhausen was expanded to the entire city area at the beginning of 2021. As a supplementary public transport service, the Revierflitzer ® is used intensively by the citizens. On weekends, an average of 200 passengers order the LEVC vehicles. In the long term, such an on-demand offer can be used as a replacement for lines during periods of low demand.

Line 105
The "New Center Master Plan" is being developed by the city of Oberhausen with the involvement of STOAG. The aim is, among other things, the large-scale development of the area for housing and transport. Line 105 connects this area to public transport. On May 16, the city council approved the project with the aim of extending tram line 105 from Essen-Frintrop to Neue Mitte Oberhausen. The planning approval is carried out by STOAG together with the mobility department of the city of Oberhausen. A funding application for this was submitted to the VRR in January 2022.

XBus line 42
Together with Vestische Strassenbahnen GmbH, STOAG launched the new XBus route 12 on June 42th. Express buses ensure high-quality, contemporary express transport with direct routes, short journey times and a very good connection to the railways. This should give commuters in rural areas or in the environs of large centers a worthwhile alternative to their own car.

Thanks to the proven good cooperation between VESTISCHE and STOAG, the X42 line was one of the first of seven planned XBus lines to go into operation in the VRR area. Not only the quick implementation of the line, but also the utilization is a complete success. At peak times, around 50 passengers use line X42 along the Oberhausen – Dorsten – Bottrop, Movie Park route.

Text-to-speech at bus stops
In 2022, STOAG equipped the first 62 dynamic display boards at bus stops with a barrier-free "text-to-speech" reading function. This technology makes the journey information, which was previously only displayed visually, now audible for visually impaired people.

At the push of a button at a height of 85 cm directly on the mast, the time is first announced, then the journey information and finally any special texts that indicate special features. Currently 45 DFO light indicators and 17 DFO indicators are equipped with this function. The older displays, which have shaped the cityscape since 2006, are to be retrofitted with this function from 2023. In addition, 2023 additional DFO-light displays are planned for 50, which will also be equipped with the new function. All measures are funded by the VRR with 90%.

Sport and pool trips
When school starts, STOAG takes over the sports and pool trips for schoolchildren in Oberhausen. For the coming school year, 11 to 18 buses will be used as required to carry out trips for 38 schools.

Quoting Werner Overkamp
“Efficient public transport is essential to achieve the mobility turnaround. This includes new transport offers such as express buses, the expansion and electrification of vehicle fleets, better offers in the area and attractive ticket offers. In order to achieve the politically specified climate goals in transport by 2030, the volume of services must be increased by between 25% and 30%. This is not possible without secured additional financial resources from the federal and state governments, especially in times of rising energy costs. The cities and municipalities, especially in the Ruhr area, cannot shoulder these expenses alone. It would be fatal if, of all things, financially weak municipalities had to cut back on their transport services.”