Reducing Public Spending on Transportation: These Actions Will Result in Budget Savings
The municipalities of Sickte and others are urging the county council to advocate for the retention of the Regiobus lines in the Landkreis Wolfenbüttel, following the announcement of service reductions due to a significant funding shortfall[1][2].
The Regionalverband Großraum Braunschweig, the authority responsible for operating the RegioBus network, is facing a deficit of approximately twelve million euros. As a result, cost-saving measures, including reductions in bus services across the entire region, have been implemented[1].
Starting in 2026, the RegioBus network serving Landkreis Wolfenbüttel, Salzgitter, and Braunschweig will undergo service reductions primarily in the form of reduced bus frequencies during off-peak times and weekends on several lines[1]. The affected lines include 420 (Wolfenbüttel–Braunschweig), 430 (Braunschweig–Cremlingen–Veltheim–Bornum), 630 (Salzgitter–Wolfenbüttel), 710 (Wolfenbüttel–Winnigstedt), 730 (Braunschweig–Sickte–Evessen), 740 (Wolfenbüttel–Weddel), and 790 (Wolfenbüttel–Salzgitter-Thiede)[1].
It is important to note that these reductions do not eliminate entire lines but lead to thinning of service intervals, mainly in off-peak hours and weekends[1]. The detailed plans for financing the RegioBus lines from 2026, including necessary service reductions, are outlined in an administrative proposal[1].
The administrative proposal will be presented to the Committee for Safety, Order, and Health of the Landkreis Wolfenbüttel on August 18 and to the County Assembly on September 8 for information[1]. No exact frequency numbers or percentage reductions have been disclosed, but the focus is clearly on service thinning outside of main commuting hours rather than complete cancellations[1][2][3].
The switch will result in an annual additional burden of approximately 1.18 million euros for the Landkreis Wolfenbüttel, as they will have to fully fund the flexible "Flexo" traffic in Cremlingen from 2027[2]. The request from Sickte will be presented to the Committee for Safety, Order, and Health on August 18[4].
All changes and reductions can be found in a specific location[5]. The changes will not affect entire lines but will involve thinning out of timetables, especially during off-peak hours and on weekends[1][2]. In summary, starting in 2026, RegioBus users in these areas should expect noticeable but partial reductions in service, especially during weekends and less busy times, as part of efforts to close a significant budget gap[1][2].
[1] https://www.abendblatt-online.de/region/braunschweig/regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert,regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert-id234893429.html [2] https://www.niedersachsen-online.de/landkreis-wolfenbuettel/regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert-id234893429.html [3] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/region/regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert,regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert-id234893429.html [4] https://www.niedersachsen-online.de/landkreis-wolfenbuettel/regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert-id234893429.html [5] https://www.niedersachsen-online.de/landkreis-wolfenbuettel/regiobus-netz-im-landkreis-wolfenbuettel-salzgitter-und-braunschweig-wird-ab-2026-service-reduziert-id234893429.html
- The budgeting concerns within the Regionalverband Großraum Braunschweig, involving a deficit of over twelve million euros in the public-transit sector, have led to the need for industry-wide finance adjustments, such as the service reductions in the RegioBus network.
- In light of the service reductions in the RegioBus network, individuals residing in Sickte and other municipalities may need to adjust their personal-finance management to account for changes in their daily transportation routines.
- To tackle the funding shortfall in the public-transit industry, local municipalities, like Landkreis Wolfenbüttel, may need to consider advocating for increased financial support from the county council or alternative sources of revenue, such as partnerships with private transportation companies.
