Tangerhütte relies on Tango”: Increasing demand for new things in public transport!

Tangerhütte relies on Tango”: Increasing demand for new things in public transport!

The discussion about mobility in rural areas has recently intensified. The focus is on Peter Krüger's bus, taxi and ambulance operations in Tangerhütte. Krüger, who employs around 40 people, recently gave local politicians an insight into the new “Tango” offer, which has been in high demand in the Elbe villages since May, at a press conference with local politicians. “Demand is constantly increasing,” reported Krüger, who is also a subcontractor for the bus network operator Stendalbus and operates several bus routes in the district. In doing so, it is responding to the increasing mobility needs of the rural population, where local public transport (ÖPNV) is becoming less and less attractive due to inadequate offerings and complicated tariff systems, as the Federal Agency for Civic Education shows.

In rural regions, journeys are often longer and dependence on cars is constantly increasing, which not only pollutes the environment but also affects the quality of life of residents. Around 60 percent of all routes in rural areas are covered by motorized vehicles. Although the federal government is aiming for greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050, emissions in the transport sector have remained almost unchanged since 1990, making the goals a long way off.

New approaches to mobility

There are some promising approaches to address these challenges. For example, Krüger relies on the use of electric vehicles to transport up to eight people as part of the “Tango” offer. “It saves time and money,” he explains, as he can also carry out minor repairs on his vehicles himself. Future developments in public transport will also include autonomous driving. However, Krüger is skeptical about immediate implementation: “This will not be realistic for rural areas in the next ten to 15 years,” says the entrepreneur.

The dialogue about mobility in rural regions is crucial. District Administrator Patrick Puhlmann was at Krüger as part of his summer tour and discussed the needs and wishes of the local people. The mobility transition must be divided into two pillars: mobility transition and energy transition. The first aims to make the transport system more efficient, while the energy transition ensures a clean energy supply. And that is necessary because road traffic is responsible for over 96 percent of traffic emissions.

Future prospects

The need for new mobility offerings is undisputed. Many rural communities are struggling with population decline and declining jobs. This not only leads to longer daily journeys, but also to a higher CO2 footprint. In the last ten years, bus companies' transport services in these regions have fallen by 27 percent. Despite the emergence of car sharing and ride pooling, the differences in mobility offerings between rural and urban areas are enormous, and the mobility transition is still in its early stages here.

To address mobility challenges, autonomous minibuses and specially tailored car sharing solutions could play a role in the future. The key to success here will be adapting to the needs of the rural population and creating appropriate legal and economic framework conditions, as described in the analysis of future mobility.

In summary, mobility in rural areas needs fresh impulses and innovative concepts. It remains to be seen whether Krüger's “Tango” is the right step towards more sustainable mobility. But one thing is certain: there is something going on!

Stendal district, Future mobility, Federal Agency for Civic Education.