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The future of on-demand offers in RMV is uncertain due to insolvency. A replacement must be found by November 1st.
Wiesbaden – In the Offenbach district, the flexible transport offers are called Hopper. Darmstadt christened her Heinerliner. In Hanau, the Mainer can be booked digitally or by telephone. In the north of Frankfurt, people take Knut to their front door, in Taunusstein with Emil and in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district with the DadiLiner.
The so-called on-demand shuttles that are currently operating in the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) area have six different names. They can be ordered where they are needed, at the time they are needed. A successful model that is attracting interest from passengers and attention in the industry, but whose future is currently not secured. The driving service provider behind it, Clever-Shuttle, is insolvent and Deutsche Bahn is the majority shareholder. According to the current status, Clever-Shuttle will no longer be able to operate Hoppers, Heinerliners or Knuts from November, the RMV announced in response to a FR request.
On-demand shuttles in Hesse without an operator
A seamless continuation of the offer is a top priority for everyone involved. But nothing is in the clear: “Discussions are currently taking place with potential future operating companies with the aim of a smooth transition,” says press spokesman Maximilian Meyer.
Time is running out. “Of course, the Hopper service should continue to be offered in all 13 municipalities in the Offenbach district without interruption,” says Andreas Maatz, managing director of the Offenbach district transport company KvgOF. There are serious discussions. “If these efforts are successfully completed in the next few days and weeks, we do not see any serious threat to operations.” Hopes lie in a continuation with the regional company Clever-Shuttle-Südwest. Unlike its parent company GHT Mobility (Berlin), it is not affected by the bankruptcy.
In the north of Frankfurt, Knut brings people to their doorsteps. © Christoph Boeckheler
According to Maatz, flexible transport options have become an important pillar of local public transport in the Offenbach district. He continues: “Today, 50,000 people per month already use our Hopper.” The shuttles do not replace a bus, which ideally serves the main routes. They have their strengths in traffic-calmed residential areas. “The buses in the Offenbach district are not empty, on the contrary,” he assures.
Buses are not yet an issue in the Hessian Ministry of Transport
There is no reason to change this strategy. “Customer satisfaction is high, people like the offer and it offers many advantages and a higher quality of life for all age groups and social groups.” The experience of the past four years has shown that the group is also reached that is usually not with it Take the bus or the S-Bahn.
That has its price. As in the other five on-demand projects, the municipalities and the district in the Offenbach district also have to cover up. “Funding money from the federal and state governments has thankfully made the political decision easier to initially attempt this across the board by the end of 2024,” emphasizes the managing director.
What happens next remains to be seen. “For long-term support, in my opinion, long-term co-financing of the offer by the state and, if necessary, the federal government is of vital importance.” This is currently not an issue in the Hessian Ministry of Transport. On-demand is a federal project, a spokesman said when asked. (Jutta Rippegather)
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