Rail Day and 50th anniversary of the S-Bahn in Rostock

Press release by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Meyer: Attractive local public transport is an important element for a high quality of life in the state

Economics and Transport Minister Reinhard Meyer officially opened the "Rail Day" events at Rostock Central Station on Friday (20 September). At the same time, the 50th anniversary of the Rostock S-Bahn was celebrated on site. "Future-orientated mobility that is geared towards the needs of citizens is a key element in making Mecklenburg-Vorpommern an attractive place to live and work. That is why we have launched a mobility campaign for the state, together with the transport companies and local authorities. We are massively expanding local public transport services in order to convince more people to switch to public transport. Among other things, we have ordered around 1.2 million additional kilometres of service for the timetable change in December 2023, which is the biggest increase in local rail passenger transport services since the rail reform in 1994/1995. The nationwide day of action is a good opportunity to provide comprehensive information about the measures that have already been implemented and those that are still planned," said Reinhard Meyer, Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour.

At the same time, the 50th anniversary of the S-Bahn in Rostock was celebrated on site. There is a special offer for this anniversary day in the coming week: on 28 September 2024, the Rostock S-Bahn lines S1, S2 and S3 can be used free of charge between Rostock Central Station and Warnemünde. The ticket is only available in the VVW app or in the VVW webshop and can only be purchased for 0 euros on 28 September.

Transport Minister Reinhard Meyer and Carsten Moll, Regional Manager DB Regio Nordost, opened the anniversary exhibition on 50 years of the Rostock S-Bahn, which takes a look at the history of the S-Bahn since the 1970s. The exhibition can be seen in the station's travel centre until 11.10.2024. Modernised ODEG and DB Regio vehicles were also on display on platforms 4 and 5.

Carsten Moll, Chairman of DB Regio Nordost: "We are celebrating an impressive anniversary with the milestone birthday of the S-Bahn Rostock. The S-Bahn has been connecting people in the region - whether commuters or day-trippers - for five decades. With the train in its historic design, we want to commemorate the long history of the S-Bahn in Rostock - the vehicle is retro on the outside, but freshly modernised on the inside."

Daniel Bischof, Managing Director of VMV-Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, said: "We cordially invite all visitors to Rostock Central Station today to visit the stands of the transport companies and the transport association as well as the federal police and VMV and find out all about rail and recruitment. Join in the celebrations and take part in the activities."

Lars Gehrke, Managing Director of ODEG, emphasises: "The trust of our passengers, the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the VMV are our motivation for working on the railway. We have been travelling with our trains in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern since 2002 and connect people with their destinations, their workplace and their family through continuous quality and cordiality. Today we are celebrating "Rail Day" together with everyone who appreciates public transport and is interested in and committed to mobility! Have fun on the "Day of Rail"!"

Michael Mißlitz, Managing Director of Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn Molli GmbH, also expressed his thanks on behalf of all Molli employees: "I would like to thank my colleagues at DB Regio AG and ODEG, who do their job for the passengers of the Rostock S-Bahn every day. Thank you for half a century of S-Bahn service in the Hanseatic city and region of Rostock. Half a century that shows how important and irreplaceable the S-Bahn has become for the people in our region. It has not only shaped local public transport in Rostock, but has also changed mobility in and around the city forever. Thank you to all those who have shaped the history of the Rostock S-Bahn and who have worked for decades to ensure strong local rail transport.

Stefan Wiedmer, Managing Director of Verkehrsverbund Warnow, emphasises the importance of rail in the network area: "Rail transport is an integral part of Verkehrsverbund Warnow and connects people far beyond the network area. The S-Bahn in particular is of great importance for our passengers, both in the district of Rostock and between Rostock Central Station and Warnemünde. The feedback was correspondingly positive when our MIRROR joint project between Güstrow and Rostock increased the S-Bahn and introduced the night S-Bahn in Rostock."