"The further development of local public transport (ÖPNV) is particularly close to my heart. I am pleased and grateful that all applications from the city of Salzgitter and KVG have been considered by the state. This is a positive signal for Salzgitter, which recognizes the special commitment of the council, members of the state parliament and myself in this area!" said Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel on yesterday's funding commitment from the state of Lower Saxony for ÖPNV.

The funding commitment relates to two areas. Firstly, the city of Salzgitter had applied for the barrier-free conversion of a total of 16 bus stops at a total cost of around 611,000 euros. Now that 75% of the funding has been approved, the following bus stops can be redesigned this year (construction is expected to start in May):

• in Lebenstedt the stops: "Schölkegraben" East and West, "Friedhof" East and West and the "Lebenstedt Süd" stop (in Swindonstraße),
• in Ohlendorf the stop "Konsul-Waßmuß-Platz" East,
• in Lesse the stops "Molkerei" East and West,
• in Lobmachtersen the stop "Ort",
• in Hallendorf the stops "Am Hillenholz" North and South,
• in Thiede the stops "Sportzentrum" North and South,
• in Beddingen the stop "Ort" North and
• in Drütte the stops "Ort" East and West.

"Thanks to the special commitment of the three mayors and the five district councillors, the regional association is providing additional funding amounting to 12.5 percent of the construction costs. The city's share of the costs therefore only amounts to around 76,400 euros for all 16 stops," emphasized Lord Mayor Klingebiel on the planned bus stop expansion.

The second area of the funding commitment relates to an application by KVG for funding for the replacement of eight articulated buses and eight so-called electric solo buses with a total value of around 6 million euros. Last year, funding was already approved for two electric solo buses with total acquisition costs of around 900,000 euros. This means that 40 percent of the total eligible costs of the purchase will be reimbursed by the state. KVG expects to receive around 3 million euros in funding for the purchase of the 18 buses. The articulated buses are expected to be delivered this year, while the electric buses are not expected to be delivered until next year. Once they have been delivered, 10 percent of the buses in Salzgitter will be electrically powered. Mayor Frank Klingebiel, who is also a member of the KVG Supervisory Board, said: "I am particularly pleased that we are taking a significant step forward in terms of accessibility and electromobility."