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KVB crisis: Regular timetable not until 2030 – light rail services remain on hold!
The Cologne transport company is struggling with delivery delays for new light rail systems, and the regular timetable will not return until 2030.
KVB crisis: Regular timetable not until 2030 – light rail services remain on hold!
The Cologne transport company (KVB) is facing a challenging situation that has been apparent since the beginning of 2023. The drastic adjustments to the timetable, especially in the light rail sector, are noticeable for passengers. A return to the regular timetable is not expected until 2030 KSTA reported. Significant reasons for this situation are the high sickness rate among drivers, an acute shortage of drivers and the insufficient number of light rail vehicles available.
Ordering the new low-floor trams has proven to be problematic. Alstom was to deliver 62 light rail vehicles, valued at 363 million euros. The first delivery was originally scheduled for September 2023, but there is no specific schedule until today, June 2025. Loud My Leipzig It could now take until spring 2026 until the first new light rail systems are ready for use. KVB boss Stefanie Haaks is already expressing doubts about whether this new deadline will be met.
Vehicle availability issues
The urgent need to address current vehicle deficiencies is becoming increasingly clear. As part of the measures, the KVB is planning to renovate 40 older low-floor railways, which will be costly and time-consuming. Review online informed that the old vehicles of the K4000 series, which have been in use since 1995, have already exceeded their technical service life. The conversion of this fleet is scheduled to begin in May 2024, which will result in further disruptions in passenger service.
The difficult supply of spare parts for these aging vehicles puts additional strain on KVB. Many parts now have to be manufactured using 3D printing. Discussions are also ongoing about possible compensation for Alstom's delivery delays, as KVB has already exhausted all contractually agreed penalties for the delays.
Back to normality only in 2030
The effects of these bottlenecks and delays are also reflected in overall passenger satisfaction. Lack of vehicle availability is the main reason for the late return to the regular timetable. And while the KVB cannot report any vehicle bottlenecks in the bus sector - full timetable operations are to be resumed on lines 124, 173 and 179 - the light rail sector remains under pressure.
Despite these challenges, there are also positive developments. The KVB plans to lift the closure of the Mülheim Bridge to light rail traffic from September 15, 2025. Furthermore, a five-minute cycle will be introduced on Line 1 from 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The KVB has also increased its driving school capacity to counteract the driver shortage.
However, the road back to normality is rocky. According to the information, the KVB is not aiming for a complete return to the regular timetable until 2030 at the earliest. Until then, the KVB remains required to ensure the mobility of Cologne's citizens with creativity and commitment.