zeit.de
Hesse Public Transit Ridership Up 7% in 2023, but Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
Public transportation ridership in Hesse, Germany rose to 1.87 billion passengers in 2023, a 7% increase from 2022 but still below the 2.12 billion in 2019; subways and trams saw the strongest growth (16%), while overall ridership is down 6% from 2013.
- What is the overall impact of the increase in public transportation ridership in Hesse, Germany in 2023, considering pre-pandemic levels?
- In 2023, public transportation ridership in Hesse, Germany, increased by 7% to 1.87 billion passengers. This is, however, still 7% below pre-pandemic levels (2019) when ridership reached 2.12 billion passengers. The increase was distributed unevenly across transportation modes.
- How did the growth in ridership distribute across different transportation modes (S-Bahn, regional trains, buses, subways/trams) in Hesse in 2023?
- The largest share of passengers (70%) used S-Bahn, regional trains, and express trains, carrying 1.31 billion passengers. Buses accounted for 16% (308 million), and subways and trams for 14% (264 million). The strongest growth was observed in subway and tram ridership (16%), followed by regional trains and S-Bahns (6%) and buses (5%).
- What are the long-term implications of the current ridership numbers for the future of public transportation in Hesse, considering the pre-pandemic levels and the 10-year trend?
- Despite the overall increase, ridership remains below 2019 levels, indicating a longer-term recovery process. The uneven growth across transportation modes suggests differing impacts of the pandemic and varying appeal of different transport options. Long-term trends show a 6% decrease in ridership compared to 2013, indicating a need for sustained efforts to promote public transit.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely neutral, presenting both positive (increase in ridership) and negative (still below 2019 levels) aspects of the data. The headline focuses on the increase in passengers, but the body of the text provides a balanced perspective. The use of the phrase "However" before the comparison to 2019 suggests a balanced approach, but some readers may focus more on the positive increase first.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses on the increase in ridership in 2023 compared to 2022, but omits discussion of potential factors contributing to the rise. It also omits a discussion of the socio-economic factors that might influence public transportation usage, as well as the environmental impact of the increase in ridership. While the comparison to 2019 pre-pandemic levels is mentioned, a deeper analysis of the reasons for the continued difference is absent. This omission prevents a more complete understanding of the situation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The increase in public transport ridership in Hesse, Germany, contributes to more sustainable urban mobility. This reduces reliance on private vehicles, lowering carbon emissions and traffic congestion, thus aligning with targets for sustainable transportation systems within cities and communities.