Salzgitter's Flexo bus service faces shutdown without urgent funding
The so-called Flexo on-demand bus service, available across the Braunschweig region, was designed to fill gaps where regular bus connections fall short. But in Salzgitter, at least, the program is set to expire at the end of 2026. Now, two high school students from Salzgitter-Thiede are campaigning to keep it alive.
While 19-year-old Ece Hickorkmaz doesn't rely on Flexo for her daily commute to Fredenberg Gymnasium, she had counted on using the bookable bus service for her planned vocational training after graduation. In an interview with regionalHeute.de, she explained that she and her brother, along with a classmate, have taken direct action to save the program.
Students Launch Petition to Save Flexo
The small but determined group began collecting signatures last week—first the old-fashioned way, with pen and paper. But they quickly realized that wouldn't be enough. Fellow campaigner Esila Isbilir has since launched an online petition, available at: www.change.org/p/save-flexo-in-salzgitter-need-2,700-signatures. As of this Sunday, they had already gathered 460 supporters.
In their petition, the students warn: "Without Flexo, many of us will lose the ability to get to work on time, miss out on critical educational opportunities, or simply have no way to visit friends, family, or medical appointments." Beyond Thiede, Flexo also serves Salzgitter-Bad and Baddeckenstedt (Wolfenbüttel district), as well as numerous other areas in the region.
But their efforts don't stop there. The students have reached out to the KVG works council, designed flyers to raise awareness about the looming shutdown, and even contacted local officials. "We've also spoken with the district mayor," Hickorkmaz told regionalHeute.de. Her conversation with Christian Striese, mayor of Salzgitter's Nordost district, opened up new avenues for action. The determined students from Thiede say they won't give up.
Municipalities Must Foot the Bill—or Lose the Service
The ball is now in the court of Salzgitter's politicians and administrators if Flexo is to survive. The service was initially established with regional funding and has been 50% subsidized by the Braunschweig Regional Association until the end of 2026, with the remaining costs covered by local municipalities. "After the Regional Association launched Flexo as a pilot project with funding and integrated it into the region's public transport network, it is now transitioning into regular operation as part of local bus services," explained Gisela Noske, a spokesperson for the association, in response to a query from regionalHeute.de.
The regional financial support runs only until the end of the year. "After that, municipalities will have to fund the flexible public transport service themselves as part of their local transit obligations," Noske clarified.
One success story comes from Gifhorn district, where Flexo has already been secured under long-term transit contracts until 2033. The same applies to Baddeckenstedt, where the service is funded until 2031. All other Flexo zones, however, are currently set to expire at year's end. "The decision on whether to continue funding in 2027 lies with local political leaders, who must pass the necessary resolutions this year," Noske emphasized, underscoring the role of municipal policymakers.
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