Petition for free call bus: secure mobility in Western Pomerania!

Petition for free call bus: secure mobility in Western Pomerania!

in the charming but sometimes disadvantaged region of Vorpommern-Greifswald, change announces. Johannes Hecht, a committed citizen from Wietzow, has created an online petition together with like-minded people to improve mobility in rural areas. The initiative calls for an improved call-up system that is intended to enable the use of the Germany ticket throughout the district. Hecht and his colleagues see a considerable obstacle to the quality of life in their idyllic living environment, especially for those who are dependent on a car.

like the Ostsee-Zeitung reports, there is only one bus per week during the holiday in the region, since school traffic is the only regular connection. Hecht emphasizes that many people in rural areas, including older and young people as well as those without their own car, face large mobility challenges. Currently, passengers can use the call bus "Ilse", which has been listing increasing demand since its introduction as a model project in January 2018: in 2023, 4,600 passengers have already been counted, and in the previous year there were still 9,000.

The demands of the petition

The petition has already gathered over 1,500 supporters, which shows how great the need for better public transport is. The central demands include:

• The expansion of the call bus "Ilse" to the entire district.
• The free use of the ilsebuss with the Germany ticket.
• Extension of operating times from Monday to Friday to 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., as well as a cover on Saturday.
• Expansion of the operating network to several regions such as Anklam, Greifswald, Usedom and Wolgast.

If these suggestions were implemented, this could significantly improve mobility for many people in the region and at the same time counteract the increase in motorized private transport.

Many rural regions are naturally difficult to connect to local public transport, as is emphasized by the Federal Center for Political Education in a report. The bus and rail connections are hardly expanded in Vorpommern-Greifswald; A sufficient offer is crucial to counter the emigration from these areas. A flexible call bus system could serve as an innovative solution and create additional incentives to reduce environmental pollution from car traffic.

A look into the future

The initiators, including Hecht and his fellow campaigners, have developed a draft resolution for the district council on July 7th. In it you not only demand the above points, but also a test order to the district administrator with regard to possible cooperation with transport companies. "It is time for us to recognize people's needs and recognize mobility as a fundamental right," says Hecht. The idea is that a well-functioning call bus system can also reduce CO2 emissions, which is particularly important in view of the current environmental discussion.

It remains to be seen how the district council reacts to these numerous concerns. In view of the increasing support, the "Ilse" call bus could soon grow beyond the limits of the current restrictions and herald a new chapter of rural mobility. People in Vorpommern-Greifswald are ready to fight for their mobility rights and look hopefully into the future.

The developments related to the petition and the proposed changes could not only increase the lives of local citizens, but also a model for other rural regions in Germany, such as bpb.de Notes:

• "Mobility in rural areas is often a neglected topic, whereby innovative approaches are urgently needed."
• "A well -planned public transport could increase both the quality of life and significantly reduce environmental pollution."

In the long term, Ilsebus could not only take on an ecological, but also a social role in the district to improve living conditions for all citizens.