Lower deficit at STOAG

"We are satisfied with the economic development of STOAG," summed up STOAG board members Peter Klunk and Werner Overkamp. At 5,9 million euros, the city's subsidy for STOAG is 18 percent lower than in the previous year. A gratifying value and a positive contribution to securing the budget.  

The 2012 figures 

Ticket sales and passenger development

Despite the slight decline in passenger numbers, sales revenues continued to rise - a trend that can be seen in the entire Rhine-Ruhr transport association. Last year, STOAG earned EUR 25,5 million from the sale of tickets, an increase of 2,3% compared to the previous year. The main reason is the tariff increase of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr, for which the transport fees were increased by an average of 1% on January 2011, 3,9. The number of passengers fell slightly from 39,1 million to 38,4 million. In addition to the decline in population in Oberhausen, the decline in the number of pupils is also decisive. Schoolchildren are still the largest group of customers. 

The sales figures for season tickets and subscriptions have developed positively. While there was a significant increase in tickets sold in cash in the previous year, income in this segment fell slightly in 2011 (-1,9%). In contrast, the revenues of Ticket1000 (+ 7,3%) and Ticket2000 (+ 8,1%) increased. There was also an increase in the subscription variant of the Ticket 1000 and Ticket 2000 (Ticket1000 subscription + 12,1%, Ticket2000 subscription 3,6%). This reflects the effects of the introduction of the electronically controlled front entry in July 2010. 

Operating profit

In the 2011 financial year, STOAG achieved sales revenues and income of EUR 28,9 million. This was 7,4% below the comparative value of the previous year (EUR 31,2 million). The expenses for 2011 amounted to EUR 49,5 million and were 7,6% below the previous year's figure. The largest item at EUR 22,5 million is personnel expenses, which are EUR 1.75 million below the previous year's figure. The expenditures for diesel fuel increased by 9,5% from 4,2 million EUR to 4,6 million EUR. 

Income from investments and securities totaled EUR 14,7 million, 3,3% less than in the previous year. This results in a remaining financing requirement of EUR 5,9 million. Compared to the previous year (EUR 7,2 million), the subsidy from the City of Oberhausen has been reduced by 18%.  

Operating performance

The changes in the route network in June 2011 have an impact on the overall operating performance of STOAG in Oberhausen and in the neighboring urban areas. The operating performance of buses and trams is 9,79 million commercial vehicle kilometers and has thus been reduced by 2002% since 18. The tram's performance has remained relatively constant.  

Year in Review 2011 

New buses

In the summer, STOAG bought eight solo buses from the company EVO-Bus, type Citaro, naturally with air conditioning and video protection systems. The special feature of the buses is the extra large multifunctional area in the area of ​​the second door, which means more space for prams, walkers and wheelchairs. The buses are marked with the Blue Angel eco-label. The new vehicles sustainably meet STOAG's quality standards of transporting passengers in an environmentally conscious, safe and comfortable way with economical and ecological vehicles. 

The average age of STOAG buses is less than 5 years, buses with a red sticker are no longer in the STOAG fleet. The bus fleet currently comprises 38 buses with a yellow sticker and 86 buses with a green sticker, and by mid-2014 all vehicles should have a green sticker. STOAG is already meeting the stricter requirements for driving into the environmental zones from January 2013. 

The two hybrid buses were launched in February. The serial drive of the buses used at STOAG is particularly suitable for vehicles that often stop and start again, as is customary in city traffic. The purely electric starting of the hybrid buses enables low-noise and low-emission driving off at the bus stop or at the traffic lights. The feedback from the population and from the drivers is very positive. It is also gratifying that initial evaluations of fuel consumption show savings of up to 20% compared to conventional buses. A direct comparison is only possible to a limited extent, however, as the hybrid buses are only used on one line, while all other buses travel on different lines with different conditions in terms of topography, speed restrictions, etc.  

New line network and punctuality promise

On June 12th, a new line network was introduced, which saves around 400.000 bus kilometers. By combining different lines that run part of their route in parallel and then branch out, a 10-minute cycle remains on the most important lines. At the same time, a punctuality promise was introduced. Customers who experience a line delay of more than ten minutes will be reimbursed the fare to the value of a single ticket. In the past ten months, the punctuality promise has been fulfilled 632 times, and the trend is decreasing. Almost half of the complaints related to the tram, which in the months of October to February often had to struggle with delays and failures, particularly due to technical problems. At the moment there is an average of one customer a day who makes use of the punctuality promise.

New website

STOAG has been online with a new website since December last year. The most important information - timetable information and diversions - are located centrally on the start page, and almost all topics can be accessed with one click. In addition to new content such as excursion tips and pages for juniors, the STOAG image film in tilt-shift format is a particular eye-catcher. In cooperation with the VRR, the opening of an internet shop is planned, through which STOAG tickets can be bought online. Preparations for this are already underway, and the new service is expected to be available from the middle of the year. 

Planning for 2012 

Audit work and family

Berufundfamilie gGmbH was founded by the Hertie Foundation and supports companies in implementing a family-friendly personnel policy on a sustainable basis. The audit  berufundfamilie, which is under the patronage of the Federal Family Minister and the Federal Minister of Economics, has developed into a recognized seal of quality for family-conscious personnel policy. STOAG was successfully certified in August 2008 by berufundfamilie gGmbH. The certificate expired in August 2011, and STOAG decided to re-audit. The successful measures of the past three years will be continued. In addition to the further intensification of company health management, the aim is to develop framework conditions for flexible working hours in the administrative area. 

Real-time passenger information

Reliable, timely and easily accessible information about the actual departure times of buses and trams is important planning data for passengers. STOAG already offers passengers real-time information at around 100 stops. Real-time information via the Internet or mobile phone represents the next important step towards customer information. This project will be implemented in 2012 in cooperation with the VRR. The technical basis is a so-called actual data server at the VRR. The transport companies involved make the real data from their operations control systems available. The actual data server functions as a central data hub, so to speak, which networks the various systems with one another and ensures a smooth exchange of data. All data available on the server are forwarded in real time to all of the VRR's online information media. As soon as the STOAG is connected to the actual data server, the VRR app also shows the actual data of all STOAG vehicles, until then the timetable data will still be displayed.                        

Rainwater management at the STOAG depot

On the premises of the depot, any future rainwater will be decoupled from the public mixed water system, collected and throttled and discharged into the Kleine Emscher. This measure, funded by the Emschergenossenschaft as part of the major project to renaturate the Emscher, serves to improve the environment of the Kleiner Emscher. The renovation work started last week and will last until autumn. After that, 80% of the resulting rainwater will flow into the renatured Kleine Emscher.