Compensation for Extraordinary Additional Personnel Costs in Public Transport Bus Services

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate supports municipal public transport authorities in road-bound public transport (ÖPNV) with this funding guideline. The aim is to offset the rising wage costs for driving personnel in the bus sector. This is intended to ensure that end-customer prices remain affordable for low-income citizens and that the persistent shortage of driving personnel is alleviated.

The guideline aims to finance the additional costs for personnel in the public transport bus sector arising from specific collective agreements or comparable wage increases. The funding covers both direct personnel costs and those of subcontractors, and takes into account various collective agreements.

The program offers financial support in the form of a non-repayable grant to cushion the additional costs for bus personnel in public transport. The funding amount is limited to a maximum of 50 percent of the eligible costs and is approved for the respective funding year.

To receive funding, applicants must provide certain evidence, especially regarding forecasted and actually incurred wage increases. Furthermore, rules for the onward transfer of grants to transport companies must be observed.

The application procedure requires the submission of collective applications by transport associations by the end of the respective funding year, including detailed forecasts of wage costs. Approval is provisional with the possibility of an advance payment, followed by a final determination based on documented additional costs.

The funding is based on a specific guideline from the Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy and Mobility, which is underpinned by the Public Transport Act and relevant budget regulations of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. These legal frameworks define the purpose and implementation of the funding program.