The members of the Bundestag Detlef Müller (SPD) and Bernhard Herrmann (Greens) have criticized major problems on the Leipzig-Chemnitz rail link. The conditions on the regional express line 6 are "untenable", they said in a joint statement on Monday. In addition to delays, there is an increasing number of train cancellations and trains are being replaced by vehicles that only offer 129 seats instead of 300 on the line with a high passenger volume.
"This thwarts all efforts to expand and improve local rail passenger transport in the region in an unacceptable way," explained Müller. The deficiencies "on one of the most important railroad lines" were a disservice to the aim of attracting more people to local transport, added Herrmann.
They called on the Central Saxony Transport Association to take action. The line is operated by Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn. In addition to financial consequences such as contractual penalties, Müller and Herrmann also suggested partial or complete termination of the transport contract. An attempt must be made as quickly as possible to commission another company with the services so that reliable local passenger transport can be offered on the line again, they said.
The trains on the line have been criticized for years. Old GDR passenger coaches pulled by a diesel locomotive run on the line. However, a new era is set to begin in summer 2024 and the existing trains will be replaced by modern battery-powered trains.
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