On-call bus in Teltow-Fläming: Is important connections threatened to end?

On-call bus in Teltow-Fläming: Is important connections threatened to end?

Mobility in rural areas is currently in jeopardy. As the Open petition reported, the district administrator of the Left Party and the district treasurer of the CDU have announced that they will radically reduce the on-call bus service in Teltow-Fläming. In the communities of Nuthe-Urstromtal and Baruth, the buses are to be reduced from three to two, while for Trebbin the offer is on the brink of December 31, 2025. The planned discontinuation of the offer in Ludwigsfelde is particularly explosive.

The background to these cuts is the district's tense financial situation. The on-call bus is already an important mobility offer, especially for areas without regular buses. The system was introduced to improve mobility in rural areas and is considered a successful model. The current decision to reduce the costs for this service or even pass them on to the cities and municipalities is all the more surprising.

The petition for the preservation of the on-call bus

The petition, which is addressed directly to the Teltow-Fläming district council, demands that the district continue to cover the costs of the on-call bus and not limit or thin out the offers. The aim is to secure the financial conditions for the current status quo of the on-call bus as part of the 2026 budget consultation.

The on-call bus system has been in operation since July 7, 2022 and allows residents to remain mobile. Bookings are easy, either by phone on (03371) 62 81 81 or online via the on-call bus app, such as VTF communicates. Those interested must register to book their rides, providing only some basic information such as email address and first and last name.

Details about bookings and trips

The on-call bus service includes various lines, including the R755 from Nuthe-Urstromtal to Baruth/Mark and Luckenwalde as well as the R778, the Kranich Express, which connects many places with each other. Bookings must always be made at least 60 minutes before the start of the trip and prior registration is required for certain times. To ensure that the service can be used flexibly, up to four people can book at the same time, and even animals can travel along - provided they are stored in a bag.

Whether the on-call bus will be retained in its current form now depends largely on the support of the population. The petition initiative shows how important it is for citizens to maintain this mobility offer, and ultimately it is up to political decision-making whether a leading mobility model is retained or not.