Oberelbe Transport Authority (VVO) in Germany has selected DB Regio to operate the VVO-diesel network in the Dresden area. The company will operate the following service lines for 10 years from December 11, 2021 :
- RB 33 Dresden-Neustadt/Dresden main station – Königsbruck
- RB 34 Dresden main station – Kamenz
- RB 71 Prina – Sebnitz
- RB 72 Heidenau – Altenberg
- RE 19 Dresden – Altenberg
DB Regio will increase the frequency of services to two trains per hour on weekdays from 04.30 to 08.30, and between 14.00 and 18.30. Which will increase the annual train-km volume to 2.06 million train-km. The ministry of transport of the German state of Saxony will also provide additional financial support to increase in frequency with a motive of meeting environmental targets by encouraging a modal shift to rail transport.
The Siemens-built Desiro two-car class 642 DMUs will be used for service with facilities including air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, power sockets, and a dynamic passenger information system. The trains also fulfill requirements for passengers with reduced mobility.
