Bus and train

The city of Jena is responsible for local road passenger transport on its territory in accordance with Section 3 (1) No. 2 of the Thuringian Local Public Transport Act (ThürÖPNVG).

As the responsible body, the city plans, organizes and promotes local public transport as a public service within its own sphere of influence. Services of general interest in local public transport means the generally accessible transportation of people by means of scheduled services as an alternative to motorized private transport in the interest of creating and ensuring equal living conditions.

The public transport concept 2030+ describes the strategic direction of the urban public transport system for the time horizon up to 2030 and beyond. The long-term goal is to promote the use of environmentally friendly modes of transport. The streetcar is to remain the priority system for securing mobility in the long term. At the same time, future mobility development will focus on continuously improving and promoting the linking of walking, cycling and public transport with new mobility services (e.g. car sharing). The public transport concept was adopted by the city council on 15.10.2020 (resolution no. 20/0576-BV) and can be viewedhere (PDF).

As the public transport authority, the city is obliged in particular to draw up a binding local transport plan for its area of responsibility for a period of 5 years and to update it as required.

The local transport plan must comply with the objectives of spatial planning, regional development and regional planning, taking into account the interests of environmental protection, economic efficiency and the mobility needs of the population. In particular, it must include an analysis of the existing public transport services and infrastructure, estimates of the expected demand for public transport, statements on future service design and infrastructure development, strategies and measures for the organization of public transport and an investment and financing plan.

The currently valid local public transport plan (PDF) for the period from 2022 was adopted by the city council on 08.12.2021 (resolution no. 21/1172-BV).

The city of Jena has entrusted Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH with the task of providing local public transport. With around 375 employees, the transport company operates a total of around 3.8 million timetabled kilometers per year on five streetcar lines and 12 bus lines. The services offered by Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH are supplemented by regional bus routes in the neighboring districts and local rail services at the city's railroad stations. Further information on Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH can be found on the company's website: Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH.

Since its foundation on 01.04.2006,the city of Jena has been a member of Verkehrsverbund Mittelthüringen (VMT ), which isan association of 15 transport companies . The area covered by the VMT includes the cities of Erfurt, Weimar, Jena and Gera as well as the districts of Gotha, Weimarer Land, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt and Saale-Orla-Kreis. At the heart of the network concept is a uniform fare system. It allows passengers to use city and regional buses, streetcars and local rail trains throughout the entire VMT area.

In accordance with Article 7 (1) of Regulation (EC) No. 1370/2007 "Public transport services by rail and road", the city is obliged to publish an annual general report on the public service obligations for whichit is responsible,the selected operator of a public service and the compensation or exclusive rights granted to this operator as compensation. The City of Jena complies with this obligation by publishing the reports in the download area.