Bremen trams 2024: punctuality is collapsing – what now?

Bremen trams 2024: punctuality is collapsing – what now?

In 2024, the punctuality of Bremen trams has noticeably worsened compared to the previous year. According to a current quality report from the Bremen/Lower Saxony Transport Association (VBN), only a little more than 50% of trams arrived on time. A decline that could not only frustrate commuters, but also shows that there is a need for action here. The figures show that around 73% of trams were still on time in 2023. The buses, on the other hand, were able to maintain a punctuality rate of around 70% this year, which makes them appear somewhat more reliable. What is particularly noteworthy is that 45% of tram delays were no more than five minutes.

The analysis also includes a review of 72 test runs of the trams. It turned out that none of the journeys tested had delays of more than ten minutes. Delays were also mostly minor for the buses that were examined in 205 test drives. However, the challenge remains to maintain punctuality at a higher level. Bremen can be proud of this, compared to cities such as Bremerhaven, Delmenhorst and Oldenburg, where longer delays were more common. The real-time displays also show that the Bremen trams offer 100% availability, while the buses are at 97.5%, which indicates a certain level of reliability.

The focus is on cleanliness and freedom from damage

Fortunately, the Bremen city transport company was also convincing in other aspects. The cleanliness of vehicles and stops was rated positively, with around 98% of cases finding no deficiencies. Here Bremen occupies a better position than Bremerhaven, but behind cities such as Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. As the report by Weser-Kurier shows, the challenge remains critical - for the Bremen population, who want constant improvement.

Where does public transport in Bremen go? This question concerns not only the city administration, but also the passengers. According to surveys by Buten un Binnen, innovative ideas and investments are needed to tackle the core problems - commuters in the Hanseatic city are hoping for solutions that will sustainably improve both punctuality and the quality of public transport.

Comparison with other major cities

A further look at punctuality could inspire us from the national analysis of the ADAC. There, public transport was examined in four major German cities, including Frankfurt and Hamburg. While the punctuality of Bremen's buses and trains is still in the upper segment, the results from Frankfurt, for example, show that only around 63% of S-Bahn users perceive their means of transport to be punctual. These comparative values ​​could help Bremen to better understand its own challenges in public transport and to work on solutions in a targeted manner.

The Bremen population's demands for reliable and clean local public transport are high, and rightly so. The journey continues, and the city administration has a duty to meet the coming challenges with a good hand and to further improve local transport. However, a positive signal can be seen in the availability of real-time displays and general cleanliness, which can serve as a strong foundation for future developments.