Criticism of the impending cuts to local transport services in Dresden due to a funding gap of 18 million euros is mounting. The Left Party is calling on Lord Mayor Dirk Hilbert (FDP) to change course when drawing up the budget. "The mayor's short-sighted red pencil policy threatens to cause enormous damage and will cost the city dearly in the long term," said André Schollbach, parliamentary group leader on the city council, according to a press release. While the utility company Sachsenenergie in Dresden is making record profits, the transport companies are threatened with a clear cut.
The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Dresden criticized the decision to adhere to the ban on new debt. According to a statement, Dirk Ebert, Chairman of the DGB city association, said that the savings being discussed at Dresden's public transport company (DVB) were "completely misguided and short-sighted". He warns of an impending transport collapse. According to projections, the cutback plans would result in an additional 1.8 million car journeys in Dresden. Ebert also criticized the loss of 150 jobs at DVB.
