Bus and Train

Pursuant to Section 3(1)(2) of the Thuringian Law on Local Public Transportation (ThürÖPNVG), the City of Jena is the responsible authority for local road passenger transportation within its territory.

As the responsible authority, the city plans, organizes, and promotes public transportation as a public service within its own jurisdiction. Public services in local public transportation refer to the generally accessible transportation of passengers via scheduled public transit as an alternative to private motor vehicle travel, with the aim of establishing and ensuring equal living conditions.

The Public Transportation Plan 2030+ outlines the strategic direction of the urban transit system through 2030 and beyond. The long-term goal is to promote the use of eco-friendly modes of transportation. In the long term, the tram is to remain the primary mode of transport for ensuring mobility. At the same time, future mobility development will focus on the continuous improvement and promotion of connections between walking, cycling, and public transit with new mobility options (e.g., carsharing). The public transit plan was adopted by the City Council on October 15, 2020 (Resolution No. 20/0576-BV) and can be viewedhere (PDF) .

As the authority responsible for public transportation, the city is specifically required to draw up a binding local transportation plan for its area of jurisdiction covering a period of 5 years and to update it as needed.

The local transit plan must be consistent with the goals of regional planning, state development, and state land-use planning, while taking into account environmental protection, economic efficiency, and the mobility needs of the population. In particular, it must include an analysis of the current state of public transportation services and infrastructure, estimates of expected public transportation demand, statements on the future design of services and infrastructure development, strategies and measures for organizing public transportation, and an investment and financing plan.

The currently valid Local Transit Plan (PDF) for the period beginning in 2022 was adopted by the City Council on December 8, 2021 (Resolution No. 21/1172-BV).

The city of Jena has entrusted Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH with the operation of local public transportation. With approximately 375 employees, the transit company operates five tram lines and 12 bus routes, covering a total of about 3.8 million scheduled kilometers per year. The services offered by Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH are supplemented by regional bus routes from neighboring counties as well as local rail services at the city’s train stations. For more information about Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH, please visit the company’s website: Jenaer Nahverkehr GmbH.

Since its founding on April 1, 2006,the city of Jena has been a member of the Central Thuringia Transportation Association (VMT), which isan association of 15 transportation companies . The VMT’s service area includes the cities of Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, and Gera, as well as the districts of Gotha, Weimarer Land, Saale-Holzland, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, and Saale-Orla. At the heart of the transit network’s concept is a unified fare system. It allows passengers to use city and regional buses, streetcars, and local trains throughout the entire VMT area.

Pursuant to Article 7(1) of Regulation (EC) No. 1370/2007 “Public Transport Services by Rail and Road , ” the city is required to publish , once a year, a comprehensive report on the public service obligations fallingwithin its jurisdiction,the selected public service operator, and the compensation or exclusive rights granted to that operator. The City of Jena complies with this requirement by publishing the reports in the download section.