Schmalkalden-Meiningen district: Citizen buses for better mobility!

Schmalkalden-Meiningen district: Citizen buses for better mobility!

Mobility is a real topic that affects many people. In rural regions, where there is often a lack of regular public transport, so-called citizen buses play an important role. The Schmalkalden-Meiningen district has now taken a step in the right direction and is funding citizens' buses with up to 5,000 euros. How insuedthueringen.de reports, the district council has already adopted the relevant directive to improve citizens' mobility and close any gaps in the public transport network.

These citizen buses, which can accommodate up to eight passengers, are based on voluntary work. Such projects currently already exist in Floh-Seligenthal and Breitungen. Interest in additional community buses is growing in other communities, but many see the financial risk as an obstacle to starting such initiatives.

State support in Baden-Württemberg

A look across the state's borders shows that citizen-supported mobility also improves the quality of life in Baden-Württemberg. Loud Beteiligungsportal.baden-wuerttemberg.de Numerous funding offers support the introduction and operation of citizen buses and citizen call cars. This form of mobility is already being successfully offered in almost 100 communities, especially in rural areas where public transport is often not available. Five years ago there were only about a third of the currently active civic transport solutions.

Transport Minister Winfried Hermann emphasizes that around 35% of the population in Baden-Württemberg lives in rural areas, where advanced mobility is extremely important. As part of a funding program, communities can submit applications for costs such as advertising or training for volunteers. The program is now being relaunched and applications can also be submitted electronically.

Federal Minister for Transport and Mobility Concepts

The topic of mobility is also the focus of the Federal Ministry of Transport, which has just completed comprehensive research on sustainable mobility in rural areas. bmv.de presents a variety of practical examples in a guideline called “Sustainably mobile in rural areas” - including citizen buses, car and bicycle sharing and other flexible mobility offers. It is evident that the car is still considered an indispensable means of transport in rural areas.

The guide is a valuable resource for municipalities that offers options for action for implementation, financing and cooperation in mobility projects. Particular emphasis is placed on the integration of different modes of transport to ensure real freedom of choice for citizens.

The developments surrounding citizen buses clearly show how important innovation and civic engagement are in order to promote mobility and at the same time ensure the quality of life in rural areas. It remains to be seen how these initiatives will develop and whether other regions will also follow this example.