Mayor Frank Klingebiel commented: "I am delighted that Salzgitter has been included in the state funding program. With the continuation of the barrier-free expansion of our bus stops and the construction of the new KVG depot, we are strengthening the transport infrastructure. Local public transport is becoming more attractive and user-friendly - an important signal in terms of climate and environmental protection, because only an attractive ÖPNV will encourage people to leave their cars at home and "switch"."
To the KVG Braunschweig bus depot:
The new bus depot in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt replaces the previous depot, including the parking halls and workshop. The new building is designed to be significantly lower in emissions. As KVG is continuing to drive forward the conversion of its fleet to zero-emission and low-emission vehicles in accordance with the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVR), the new depot must meet the changed requirements, particularly with regard to electromobility. KVG Braunschweig also intends to reduce the built-up area on the company premises and optimize the outdoor facilities for bus transport. This should sustainably improve the functionality and energy efficiency of the depot. This will result in lower operating costs and improved operational processes.
The total costs for the construction project amount to around 19.97 million euros, with around 8.78 million euros being paid in subsidies by the state of Lower Saxony. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2022.
"As the largest project in the company's history, the new building lays an important foundation stone for future-oriented and sustainable ÖPNV in the Salzgitter region. Only the funding from the state of Lower Saxony makes it possible for us to implement such a complex project at all and thus to be able to push ahead with electrification within the company," say project manager Ramon Wunsch, Commercial Director of KVG, and KVG Managing Director Axel Gierga.
On the expansion of the stops:
The city of Salzgitter is planning to make 15 bus stops in the city barrier-free in 2022. To this end, the bus stops will either be built directly on the road or as bus stop bulges (so-called bus caps). Tactile guidance systems will also be implemented at the bus stops to improve orientation for people with disabilities. The barrier-free expansion is planned at the following stops:
Originally, the expansion of a total of 16 stops was planned, to which the promised funding of EUR 739,500 relates. However, the Salzgitter-Gitter "Am Speelhof" stop was postponed at the request of the South Local Council due to the unresolved issue of its location.
The funding from the state of Lower Saxony amounts to 75 percent of the eligible costs. In addition, the Regionalverband Großraum Braunschweig (Greater Braunschweig Regional Association) is providing a further 12.5 percent of the costs for the extension of the bus stop. The city's share of funding therefore only amounts to approx. 12.5 percent of the total costs.