Suche
Mein Konto
Kretschmer warns: Görlitz trams in danger due to Heiterblick insolvency!
Heiterblick faces challenges after filing for bankruptcy; Görlitz could experience delays in tram deliveries.
Kretschmer warns: Görlitz trams in danger due to Heiterblick insolvency!
The future of Görlitz trams is in jeopardy. Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer expressed considerable doubts that the Görlitzer Verkehrsbetriebe (GVB) will actually receive the low-floor tram cars it ordered from the Leipzig company Heiterblick. Heiterblick, an established tram manufacturer, filed an application for self-administration insolvency proceedings in April 2023, which was approved by the Leipzig District Court. The bankruptcy was triggered by multiple crises, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Sächsische.de reports that regular insolvency proceedings were opened in July 2023 because the company was unable to overcome the financial difficulties.
Although production of the tram cars continues, it is subject to the requirements of insolvency law. Andreas Kleinschmidt from the law firm White & Case was appointed as administrator. GVB boss André Wendler has not yet been available, but the Görlitz transport company had ordered a total of eight vehicles. In the current situation, Heiterblick is planning short-time work, which not only results in delays in delivery, but also in the financing process.
Impact on Görlitz
The situation is becoming increasingly critical for the city. If there is a new tender for the trams, as Kretschmer notes, this could lead to a delay of four to five years. In addition, Görlitz has not yet transferred any money to Heiterblick, as the new trams are to be financed from structural change funds. As part of the coal phase-out, Görlitz received almost 68 million euros in 2021, which must be settled by the end of 2029. Delays could result in some of these funds being forfeited.
The uncertainty in Görlitz is not the only consequence of the Heiterblick insolvency. Other cities such as Dortmund are also drawing conclusions and have stopped the modernization of old light rail systems. While the situation remains tense, Heiterblick expressed optimism in an official statement that all ongoing orders can be fulfilled as planned. In particular, the Görlitz city administration and the Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) support this plan and are among the buyers who are hoping for the new trams. N-TV reports that the wages of the approximately 250 employees will initially be secured for three months by the Federal Employment Agency.
Overall, it remains to be seen whether Heiterblick can overcome the challenges and whether the originally planned delivery of the new trams will actually take place. The coming months will be crucial for Görlitz and the cities affected in order to clarify what the regional transport connections will look like in the future.