Increased Reliance on Local Trains Traveling Between Zwickau and Dresden

In the heart of Germany, the Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn (MRB) has witnessed a remarkable resurgence in passenger numbers since taking over the rail traffic in the Mittelsachsen electrified network in 2016.

The Saxon-Franconian Magistrale, particularly the trains between Vogtland and Dresden, have seen an increase in passenger numbers, with over 10.5 million passengers using these trains in 2021. This number nearly doubled since the MRB took charge, marking a substantial growth in the railway's popularity.

The trend of increased passenger numbers continues into 2022, according to the company, with a recovery largely due to the introduction of the Germany ticket. This affordable monthly pass has been a game-changer, attracting more passengers to the MRB's lines, such as the RE3, RB30 between Hof and Dresden, RB45 between Chemnitz and Elsterwerda, and other lines.

The significant increase has been observed particularly between Dresden, Freiberg, Chemnitz, and Zwickau, with trains getting crowded during peak times, sometimes making it difficult to accommodate bicycles.

However, this growth in passenger numbers has not been without its challenges. The MRB is facing financial strain due to the current revenue distribution model, with the private transport companies involved in the business connections, Transdev Germany and Abellio Rail Mitteldeutschland, also experiencing losses. The compensation funds provided by the federal and state governments are not sufficient to fill the gap caused by these losses.

To address this issue, the MRB is advocating for a change in the industry's revenue distribution model. The company is calling for a new distribution model that takes into account the actual passenger demand, aiming to bridge the discrepancy between passenger demand and revenue. MRB Managing Director Jan Kleinwechter stated that the current regulation does not reflect the actual usage or the financing needs.

The shift towards the Germany ticket results in significant losses for private transport companies, as it now makes up a large part of the MRB's revenue. Despite these challenges, the increased passenger numbers may potentially lead to increased revenue for the MRB, providing a glimmer of hope for the future of this thriving railway.