The S-Bahn is operated by the Elbe Saale Bahn, a subsidiary of DB Regio Südost, on behalf of the Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt ("public transport service of Saxony-Anhalt", a state government agency that plans, manages and funds public transport services in the state).

This reverted after seven years to the S1 running between Schönebeck-Salzelmen and Zielitz Ort every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on the weekend.

The service between Zielitz and Stendal was extended by two additional train pairs in the morning (Mon–Fri), creating a 30-minute cycle.

In contrast to Magdeburg, however, these were replaced much earlier by the various transport associations or abolished in the case of Erfurt with the abandonment of the S-Bahn.

This meant that for single journeys in the Magdeburg region, a new ticket had to be used with each change from the S-Bahn to another form of public transport.

In 2015, they were modernised and received new seats, folding tables, electrical outlets and an improved passenger information system.

These plans for a regional S-Bahn network were mainly promoted by the Minister of Transport, Karl-Heinz Daehre.

The connection to Zerbst has been rebranded as part of the S-Bahn Mitteldeutschland 2 network, which is operated by the Elbe-Saale-Bahn, a subsidiary of DB Regio.