Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft

Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (DVG) is the municipal public transport company of Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It operates two tram lines and ten city bus lines, providing local public passenger transport across the city area. The company emerged in 1990 from the state-owned VEB Verkehrsbetriebe Dessau, which was part of the VE Verkehrskombinat Halle, and since 1993 has been a subsidiary of Dessauer Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH – DVV Stadtwerke, the municipal utility holding that supplies energy, mobility, water and telecommunications to the region. DVG's network is centred on the city of Dessau-Roßlau and includes the historic Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn, a heritage railway that invites passengers to explore the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom under the motto "Einsteigen – Entdecken – Genießen" (Board – Discover – Enjoy). The tram system dates back to 1894, when the first line opened with gas-engine operation; it was electrified in 1901 and reached its greatest network extent of 12.5 kilometres in 2002. Today the tram fleet consists of ten modern low-floor NGT6DE trams, while the bus fleet numbers around 25 vehicles, predominantly MAN Lion's City models, including compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. Since August 2002 the city bus network has been operated with modern natural-gas buses, reflecting an environmental focus. As a municipal company, DVG is part of the DVV Stadtwerke group, which describes itself as one of the largest employers and contractors in Dessau-Roßlau. The group's subsidiaries include Dessauer Stromversorgung GmbH (electricity), Gasversorgung Dessau GmbH (gas) and Fernwärmeversorgungs-GmbH Dessau (district heating). DVG itself is responsible for the tram and bus operations, while subcontractors such as Vetter GmbH from Salzfurtkapelle provide additional bus services. In July 2017 DVG was directly awarded the entire tram and bus network within the city boundaries, and in May 2018 subcontractor services were tendered, with all three bus lots going to Vetter GmbH. DVG offers a range of tickets and tariffs, including subscription cards and the Deutschlandticket, and provides online services such as customer portal, forms and fault reporting. The company is headquartered in Dessau-Roßlau and remains a key provider of everyday mobility for residents and visitors of the region.

The history of public transport in Dessau goes back to the late 19th century. On 15 November 1894, the first tram line began operating in Dessau, initially powered by gas engines. On 26 March 1901 the tramway was electrified. From 1907 to 1945 the tram also ran to the neighbouring town of Roßlau. After the destruction of World War II, the tram was re-equipped with new vehicles. In the 1970s a conversion to trolleybuses was decided, but this was revised a decade later in favour of extending the network to the new Plattenbau housing estates. In 2002 the Dessau tram network reached its greatest extent with a length of 12.5 kilometres. Bus services began in 1926, when a continuously operating omnibus was introduced because tram lines to the suburbs would have been financially unviable. By 1930, alongside three tram lines there were already nine bus lines. The first buses had bodies from the Waggonfabrik Dessau on truck chassis. Before the war, experiments were made with town gas as fuel. In the 1950s new vehicles could be procured again, but a number of Berlin Do 56 double-decker buses were also bought second-hand. During the GDR era, typical Ikarus buses were used. As tram routes were closed, more and more bus lines were established. In 1992 the first MAN buses of type SL 202, and from 1994 type NL 202, entered service. With the opening of the tram line to Dessau-West, the lines were optimised and reduced to the essentials. Since August 2002 Dessau has operated its city bus network with twenty modern natural-gas buses of type MAN A21 CNG. For late-night services, four Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 35 minibuses were acquired in 2009 and used on four circular routes in the so-called "night traffic". In July 2009 the previous regional bus network of Otto Müller Omnibusbetrieb GmbH in and around Roßlau was merged with the Dessau DVG city network into a common timetable and tariff area. The five Roßlau lines were declared city lines with the 20-series numbering. On 1 July 2017 the Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft was directly awarded the entire tram and bus network within the city boundaries. The firms Müller in Roßlau, Heinrich Reisen from Oranienbaum and Vetter GmbH from Salzfurtkapelle then acted as subcontractors, and the lines in Dessau-Roßlau were reorganised. In May 2018 the subcontractor services were tendered, and all three bus lots went to Vetter GmbH. The Müller bus company went into insolvency, and Heinrich Reisen refocused on tourist travel. The company itself was founded in 1990 from the VEB Verkehrsbetriebe Dessau within the VE Verkehrskombinat Halle, and since 1993 it has been a subsidiary of Dessauer Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH – DVV Stadtwerke. Today DVG operates two tram lines and ten city bus lines, with a fleet of ten low-floor NGT6DE trams and around 25 buses, mostly MAN Lion's City models including CNG buses. The network includes the heritage Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn, which offers a special way to explore the Garden Kingdom.

• 2018

  Subcontractor services tendered in May; all three bus lots go to Vetter GmbH.

• 2017

  DVG directly awarded entire tram and bus network within city boundaries on 1 July.

• 2009

  Four Mercedes-Benz Sprinter City 35 minibuses acquired for night traffic; regional bus network of Otto Müller merged with DVG city network.

• 2002

  Tram network reaches greatest extent of 12.5 km; city bus network operated with 20 natural-gas MAN A21 CNG buses.

• 1994

  MAN NL 202 buses enter service.

• 1993

  Becomes subsidiary of Dessauer Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH – DVV Stadtwerke.

• 1992

  First MAN SL 202 buses enter service.

• 1990

  Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH founded from VEB Verkehrsbetriebe Dessau.

• 1930

  Nine bus lines in operation alongside three tram lines.

• 1926

  First continuously operating omnibus introduced.

• 1907

  Tram service extended to neighbouring Roßlau (until 1945).

• 1901

  Tramway electrified on 26 March.

• 1894

  First tram line opens in Dessau on 15 November, initially gas-powered.

Municipal public transport provider ensuring reliable, customer-oriented local mobility in Dessau-Roßlau.

• Tram lines (2 lines)

  Two tram lines with 15-minute daytime frequency Monday to Saturday, 30-minute in off-peak and on Sundays/holidays.

• City bus lines (10 lines)

  Ten city bus lines, mostly half-hourly on weekdays, hourly on weekends; some lines served by call-bus system on Sundays/holidays.

• Night traffic network

  Special late-night network from about 20:00 to 0:30, with six lines (one call-bus, four circular); early morning call-bus lines N2–N5 from 2:00 until start of daytime service.

• Dessau-Wörlitzer Eisenbahn

  Heritage railway offering comfortable and unique access to the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom.

• Tickets and tariffs

  Range of tickets and offers for all users, including subscription cards and Deutschlandticket.

1. 1ÖPNV: jederzeit mobil | DVV Dessaudvv-dessau.de
2. 2Stadtwerke stellen sich vor | DVV Dessaudvv-dessau.de
3. 3Unser Online-Service für Sie | DVV Dessaudvv-dessau.de
4. 4Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaftwikidata.org
5. 5Dessauer Verkehrsgesellschaftde.wikipedia.org