Keolis was due to take over operation of lines S1 (Solingen – Dortmund) and S4 (Unna – Dortmund – Lütgendortmund) from December 15 under a contract awarded by VRR in July 2016.
However, VRR says Keolis has only recruited around half of the drivers required and “therefore cannot guarantee reliable passenger operation of the lines from mid-December.” VRR claims Keolis “cannot realistically” expect to qualify 60-80 drivers in the remaining time before the contract begins.
Pending the completion of a new Europe-wide competitive tendering process, incumbent operator DB Regio NRW will continue to operate the two lines on an interim basis using the current fleet of class 422 EMUs, which are owned by VRR.
Keolis Germany says it only learned of VRR’s decision to terminate the contract through social media and this was subsequently confirmed by the authority in writing. The company says it has been preparing for the start of operations since 2016 and has also been co-operating with other parties to address the Germany-wide shortage of qualified train drivers.
Keolis Germany says it is considering all available options to challenge VRR’s decision.
