Increased Bus Service with an Increase in Passengers
In the picturesque Heidekreis region of Germany, a community-driven bus service, known as the Bürgerbus Association, has been making waves since its inception in 2015. This service, akin to a local flixbus, has seen a significant increase in passenger usage, with a 30% rise from January to October this year, totaling 7,310 people.
The acquisition costs of this community-driven service, amounting to 102,000 euros, were primarily covered by the state of Lower Saxony, with the county of Heidekreis contributing 20,000 euros. The remaining costs were covered by the Bürgerbus Association, the city of Schneverdingen, and other unspecified parties.
Schneverdingen's mayor, Meike Moog-Steffens, has been instrumental in mediating between the municipalities and the district. Notably, the municipality of Bispingen currently provides a private loan facility for the replacement bus of the Bürgerbus Association.
The service's reliability and punctuality are its greatest strengths, with only one service cancellation last year due to critical weather conditions. The new minibus connecting Schneverdingen's town center with surrounding villages has been in operation since the end of October.
However, the sudden death of the founder and long-standing chairman, Heinrich Mahnken, has left a gap that cannot be filled. The association is being reorganized with the help of other members. Schneverdingen already had a replacement bus, funded privately by members as a loan, due to the efforts of the previous chairman Mahnken.
In a positive development, the county has now agreed to cover the fuel costs for the Bürgerbus, a demand the association fought for last year. Moreover, in the future, repair costs for the Bürgerbus will be shared between the county and the respective municipality.
The Bürgerbus accepts the 49-euro Germany ticket, with 23% of passengers using it, particularly Hamburg commuters. The electric vehicle variant of the minibus was not considered viable due to a low range requiring multiple charging stops per day.
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The Böhme Newspaper is launching a major online survey on the topic of mobility in Heidekreis. Readers can share their views on questions related to public transport and possible alternatives at [shortlinks.de/36ka]. The communal replacement bus for the five citizen bus associations in Heidekreis is under discussion, adding another layer to the ongoing mobility discourse in the region.
The Bürgerbus Association continues to serve as a shining example of community-driven initiatives in Heidekreis, proving that with cooperation and determination, local solutions can make a significant impact.
