DSW21 shortens training for light rail drivers – more jobs for Dortmund!

DSW21 shortens training for light rail drivers – more jobs for Dortmund!

The city of Dortmund is increasingly committed to ensuring sustainable mobility for its citizens. DSW21, the city's wholly owned subsidiary, has shortened the training for light rail drivers from three and a half months to eight weeks. This measure enables the training of 72 new drivers per year, instead of the previous 60. Ruhr24 reports that the learning methods have been revised and an additional driving instructor is supporting the aspiring light rail drivers.

What is particularly notable is the reduction in group size during training. Instead of twelve participants as before, there are now often only four people in a group, which ensures more active driving times. After graduation, the new drivers will receive practical training in the form of twelve training driver days under the guidance of experienced colleagues. In addition, the trainees receive their full salary during this time.

Relief and recruitment offensive

Since the beginning of 2025, there have been relief days for commuters on which trips are canceled to ensure smoother mobility. However, this regulation will be withdrawn as soon as the new drivers are hired. A comprehensive recruitment offensive at DSW21 has been running since autumn 2024 to increase staff and ensure the quality of local public transport.

Meanwhile, the bus training at DSW21 remains unchanged and continues to last five months. DSW21 thus shows that local public transport in Dortmund is being continuously strengthened Ausbildung.de.

DSW21 – A mobility guarantee

DSW21 is known as a mobility guarantee for citizens and not only ensures passenger transport, but also a reliable energy and water supply in Dortmund. Around 3,800 employees work in the DSW21 group, which transports around 135 million passengers on buses and trains every year. In addition, DEW21, Dortmund's energy and water utility, plays a crucial role in the region by supplying around 600,000 people with natural gas, electricity, heat and water Dortmund.de.

Despite these positive developments, a study by Greenpeace shows that public transport expansion in Dortmund has made little progress since 2023, putting the city in 13th place out of 30 cities. It is all the more important that DSW21 and the city of Dortmund continue to work actively to improve mobility and adapt their offerings to the needs of citizens.

Overall, it remains to be seen how these initiatives will bear fruit in the coming years. However, one thing is certain: Dortmund and DSW21 are serious about improving mobility for everyone.