Munich Public Transport Faces Service Cuts: Trams 25 and 23 Affected
Munich, June 11 – The Munich public transport operator (MVG) announced significant service reductions set to take effect with the timetable change in December. These cuts, aiming to save 14 million euros, will impact several bus, tram, and subway lines, with particular concern raised over the reduced frequency of tram lines 25 and 23.
Tram 25: Reduced Frequency Between Max-Weber-Platz and Großhesseloher Brücke
One of the most notable changes involves Tram 25. The frequency on the section between Max-Weber-Platz and Großhesseloher Brücke will be reduced from every five minutes to every ten minutes, specifically between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. This decision has drawn strong criticism from the CSU faction in the Munich City Council.
CSU City Council member Andreas Babor has submitted a motion to maintain the current five-minute interval, arguing that this section serves numerous high-traffic facilities, including several clinics and residential areas such as the Paulaner site and a new housing complex on Harthauser Straße. “If public transport services are cut, it will only lead to people taking their cars. And that cannot be the goal of the new city government,” Babor stated.
In contrast, Green City Council member Gudrun Lux defended the MVG’s decision, explaining that the MVG thoroughly analyzed passenger loads and found them to be low during these four hours. She emphasized the need to allocate resources efficiently, citing the increased frequency of Tram 20 to the new Criminal Justice Center as an example of targeted service improvements.
Tram 23 and Bus Lines Also Face Reductions
The Munich Tram Friends, a local advocacy group, also voiced strong objections to the proposed cuts. They are particularly concerned about Tram 23, which runs from Schwabing to Münchner Freiheit, also being reduced to a ten-minute frequency. The group argues that this reduction will discourage commuters in Parkstadt Schwabing, home to international companies like Google and Amazon, from using public transport over private vehicles.
Furthermore, the Tram Friends criticized the planned thinning of bus lines 57 and 143 in Freiham, stating it “makes no sense.” They highlighted that residents in neighboring Aubing already suffer from car traffic, and these cuts would exacerbate the problem.
MVG’s Financial Justification and Public Reaction
The MVG’s decision to implement these cuts is driven by the need to save 14 million euros. Mobilitätsreferent Georg Dunkel (non-partisan) and Matthias Korte from the MVG presented the planned reductions, which include thinning out or completely canceling some bus, tram, and subway lines.
Public reaction to the announcement has been mixed. Comments on the Abendzeitung München website reflect frustration among some residents. One user, “HiggsBoson,” commented, “There it is, the much-praised traffic turnaround. Once again at the expense of the working population.” Another user, “Rigobert,” suggested, “Every 30 minutes would be sufficient, this tram line has few passengers,” indicating differing views on the necessity and impact of the cuts.
The debate surrounding these public transport cuts underscores the ongoing challenge for urban planners to balance financial constraints with the growing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options in a rapidly expanding city like Munich.
