Zugerland transport suffers historic decline in frequency and yield

The Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (Zug Transport Companies (ZVB)) has been hit hard by the Corona crisis in the 2020 operating year. Nevertheless, the ZVB was able to cope well with the crisis, both financially and operationally.

A positive development in demand was recorded In the first few months, according to a press release issued on Monday for the financial year 2020 of the Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe (ZVB). From mid-March, however, the Corona measures have caused a marked decline in passenger numbers. During the entire 2020 timetable year, a total of 15 million passengers were transported on the ZVB's concession routes in the regions of Zug, Seetal and Freiamt, a decrease of 28% compared to the previous year.

According to the communication, the Corona pandemic has also left its mark financially. The loss on the public transport operation, for example, amounted to CHF 3.14 million. By factoring in the special reserves, as well as the positive results from the non-public transport divisions, the overall loss was reduced to CHF 625,014, however.

Wearing protective masks on buses is mandatory
Photo: PD

As the ZVB further states, the health of customers and employees was protected in public transport, as well as inside the company, thanks to the functioning protection concepts, and a major loss of the workforce could be prevented. In this way, the ZVB have been able to master the Corona crisis together.

Forward-looking projects promoted
The ZVB is focusing on electromobility, the communication continues, and is gradually expanding this. The long-term goal is to achieve a climate-neutral line operation by 2035. From the commissioning of the first E-bus in November 2019, the performance has been continuously increased, with the E-bus covering more than 38,000 kilometres free of emissions in 2020, thereby reducing the CO₂ emissions of the ZVB by 43 tons. The next step is to convert a whole line.

Note
Due to the corona situation, the 2021 Annual General Meeting will take place without the presence of shareholders and guests. The shareholders of the ZVB may exercise their rights at the Annual General Meeting on 10 June by means of an independent proxy.