Emmendingen plans public transport cuts to ease budget strain by 2028

The district administration of Emmendingen has put forward plans to cut costs in local public transport. Rising expenses have stretched the budget, despite recent expansions in services. Officials are now looking for ways to balance the books. Operating costs for public transport have climbed far higher than first expected. To address this, the district will subsidise local transit and student transport with about €9 million in 2026. Further savings of roughly €200,000 are planned for 2027 by optimising school and general bus services.

Additional measures include ending contracts for evening services on development routes, saving around €100,000 each year. Reduced evening bus services could start as soon as the December timetable change, affecting towns like Elzach, Denzlingen, Kenzingen, and Herbolzheim. Local councils may soon have to choose between funding these services or letting them end by 8 p.m.

A proposed mobility pass was discussed as a potential revenue source but faced criticism. The administration highlighted high administrative costs and legal uncertainties as major concerns. The Environment and Technology Committee will examine these proposals on June 29, with the district council set to vote on July 20. A traffic survey in 2027 will then help identify further route cuts for 2028. The district aims to reduce spending while maintaining essential services. Final decisions will follow committee reviews and council votes. Changes to evening bus timetables may take effect before the end of the year.