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Cheerful view in the crisis: Insolvency and effects on Leipzig's mobility!
Heiterblick is facing bankruptcy. The crisis at the Leipzig tram manufacturer is getting worse, and employees fear for their jobs.
Cheerful view in the crisis: Insolvency and effects on Leipzig's mobility!
The crisis at the Leipzig tram manufacturer Heiterblick has continued to worsen. Today the Leipzig District Court opened regular insolvency proceedings. This is the next step in a difficult situation for the company, which has existed for over 100 years and employs around 250 people. The economic problems can be attributed, among other things, to the corona pandemic, the consequences of the war in Ukraine and disrupted supply chains that led to project delays. Employees are concerned about possible short-time work, while management is trying to stabilize the company through a self-managed restructuring process, which has already been applied for and approved. A temporary administrator, lawyer Andreas Kleinschmidt, was appointed to examine the economic situation and monitor the management, which can continue to exercise its function. The employees' salaries are guaranteed by the Federal Employment Agency for the next three months.
Heiterblick has ordered 25 new XXL type NGT12+ trains for the Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB). The first delivery was originally scheduled for this year, but due to the bankruptcy, the schedule is significantly delayed. LVB boss Ulf Middelberg now expects the first vehicle to be delivered at the beginning of 2026. The new trams, which are 45 meters long and have a carrying capacity of 288 seats, are scheduled to come to Leipzig between the beginning of 2026 and the end of 2027. The transport transition is of strategic importance for the city, and Heiterblick plays a central role in it. However, the unclear situation of the insolvency has an impact on the future cooperation between Heiterblick and LVB.
Transport infrastructure in Leipzig
The city of Leipzig continues to invest in its infrastructure. There are currently 17 schools and six school sports halls under construction. 187 million euros have been budgeted for this for 2025, despite the increasing number of students and the need to renovate dilapidated educational institutions. At the same time, however, there are traffic challenges, as several construction sites on the B2 in the north of Leipzig lead to diversions and lane reductions. This work was carried out during the holiday season when there was less traffic in order to minimize disruption to commuters.
Another point in the current discussion is the security situation in the city. Despite previous announcements, the city of Leipzig has waived requirements for terrorist protection at events. A request from the SPD parliamentary group shows that the city refers to the complicated legal situation in Saxony and is seeking clarification from the Interior Ministry.
In addition, the S-Bahn network between Leipzig and Halle is experiencing a short-term problem, with an increasing number of shortened trains and dirty stations. However, DB Regio has assured that these problems will be resolved shortly. While mobility and infrastructure challenges remain, the city hopes that Heiterblick will overcome the crisis and play a crucial role in the future transport transition.