Cottbus: Mobility in Transition – CO₂-Neutral Strategy and Transport Planning in Focus

Mobility in Transition: Cottbus is Counting on a CO₂-Neutral Strategy and Digital Offers

In an era where climate protection and sustainability are increasingly coming to the forefront of urban policy, Cottbus made important decisions in April 2026 regarding the city's future mobility structure. The city focused on two central pillars: the gradual transition to CO₂-neutral drive technologies in public local transport and the optimization of existing services such as the Deutschlandticket. At the same time, infrastructure is being further developed to meet the requirements of the future.

Strategy Paper for Climate-Neutral Drive Technologies

Cottbus has commissioned the Cottbusverkehr GmbH to develop a technology-neutral strategy paper for the transition to CO₂-neutral drive technologies. The goal is to gradually switch public local transport (ÖPNV) to emission-free technologies by 2030. This paper is part of the implementation of the Clean Vehicle Directive and the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act, which define European and national requirements for climate-friendly modes of transport.

The Cottbusverkehr GmbH will present a first draft of the strategy paper to the Committee on Budget and Finance by June 16, 2026. By the end of June, the written draft is to be available to involve political bodies early in the decision-making process. The focus will be on:

• Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of hydrogen and battery solutions
• Consideration of green hydrogen and energy prices
• Long-term viability of the technologies and their impact on the operating cost subsidy
• Ensuring planning security through early decisions

The city emphasizes that the transition must be ecologically necessary, financially viable, and operationally sensible. The evaluation of alternative drive concepts – from hybrid to synthetic fuels to purely electric systems – is a central aspect.

Deutschlandticket: Increasing Attractiveness

Another topic was the examination of measures to increase the attractiveness of the Cottbusverkehr Deutschlandticket. The motion was submitted by the Die Linke faction and is part of a broader debate on the future of local transport offers in Germany. Cottbus not only wants to optimize the reach of the ticket but also promote its use through marketing, better planning, and digital integration.

The discussion around the Deutschlandticket shows how closely climate-friendly mobility and social transport offers are linked. Cottbus is consciously trying to make public transport more accessible and attractive – not least to reduce car traffic in the long term.

Infrastructure: Extension of the Werner-von-Siemens-Straße

In addition to transport policy, an infrastructure project was also in the focus: the extension of the Werner-von-Siemens-Straße in the industrial area of Dissenchen. The road construction project, which is to start in summer 2026 and be completed by the end of 2026, is part of the city's development and is intended to improve the accessibility of the area.

The planning, however, is not without challenges. A 110-kV high-voltage overhead line requires certain areas to remain free, and noise protection measures are anchored in the zoning plan. Public participation is planned for May 2026, and the procedure is to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2026. The city is responsible for planning the pedestrian and bicycle path as well as the media infrastructure, while DB FZI is responsible for the actual construction work.

Personnel and Organizational Adjustments

In April 2026, there were also personnel and organizational changes in the Committee for Construction and Transport. Erik Hofedank and Jakob Krüger were relieved of their duties, while Sebastian Hettchen and Anke Schwarzenberg were newly appointed. These changes reflect the continuous rotation in political bodies and contribute to stability and restructuring.

In addition, a basic decision on the application of the BauTurbo Act was made, which is intended to accelerate housing construction. This decision is part of a broader effort to remove bureaucratic hurdles and advance urban development – also in connection with mobility.

Outlook: Mobility as a Central Process of Transformation

The decisions in April 2026 show how closely Cottbus has embedded the topic of mobility into the overall planning of the city. The transition to climate-neutral drive technologies, the optimization of local transport offers, and the further development of infrastructure form a central axis that marks the path to the future.

The coming months will be decisive, especially with the presentation of the strategy paper and the implementation of the zoning plans. Cottbus is demonstrating itself as a city that not only reacts but actively shapes – in the interest of a sustainable, social, and traffic-just future.