VHH Mobility within rising cost pressure, tender reform push and evolving fleet strategy: our interview with Managing Director Britta Oehlrich - Sustainable Bus

"The VDV's 2025 industry report highlights that ridership is growing, but so are operational deficits due to surging personnel and energy costs. Demand for public transport continues to recover and in some areas has already returned to - or even exceeded - pre-pandemic levels."

"As a municipally owned transport company, we operate within the framework of public service contracts. This means we must ensure reliable mobility for the region, even if individual services are not economically self-sustaining."

"We had a deficit of about 20 million, four or five years ago. And now we got 1."

German public transport operators are experiencing increased ridership alongside financial challenges, including rising personnel and energy costs. The need for public funding is growing as operators strive to electrify fleets and digitalize operations while maintaining service reliability. VHH Mobility's financials reflect these trends, with operational deficits rising despite recovering demand. The company must balance public service obligations with economic sustainability, leading to increased compensation payments due to the financial strain of maintaining reliable mobility services.

Read at Sustainable Bus