The market town of Murnau is breaking new ground in local public transport: this summer a local bus starts that does not follow a fixed route, but can be called flexibly via app or phone. The second largest district municipality takes on a pioneering role with this project.
Murnau - Murnau suffers enormously from the increasing car traffic - and therefore invests in more environmentally friendly alternatives. In addition to the expansion of the cycle and footpath network, this also includes strengthening local public transport. The introduction of a local bus has long been at the top of the wish list. On July 1st the time has finally come: Then the starting signal is given for an ambitious concept that is unique in this form in Upper Bavaria and is therefore being treated as a model project that could be imitated in many other municipalities.
The special thing about it: The new local bus of the Staffelsee community no longer rattles a few stops according to a fixed schedule, as is the case elsewhere, but can be ordered using an app on a smartphone or by phone. "We are exactly in line with the times," said Mayor Rolf Beuting (ÖDP / Bürgerforum), who presented the plans in the course of a press conference in the town hall. However, there is no guarantee that the whole thing will be widely accepted. The town hall chief is nevertheless optimistic: "I assume that this will go well."
The system, which is most comparable to a shared taxi, takes advantage of progressive digitalization: sophisticated software that runs in the background and intelligently controls the means of transport is used. An algorithm recognizes where you are and calculates which route is the best and how trips can be combined with each booking. You can then board at around 200 pick-up points. The driver pays in cash or electronically. The advantages for Beuting are obvious: empty trips are a thing of the past. And: "We can open up all districts." In the medium term, you could also bring the neighboring communities on board.
After an invitation to tender, the Omobi company based in Murnau was awarded the contract to operate the aforementioned local bus. The startup company based in the innovation district - headed by the two managing directors Clemens Deyerling and Robert Schotten - is active in the promising mobility industry. Deyerling is convinced that this concept works especially in rural areas. "We are fighting for it to be a success." Let's start with a Mercedes minibus that goes from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. A second can be added if necessary.
The only downside: the offer is not for free. There are costs of 320,000 euros per year in the room. Money is being raised (two euros per person per trip), and the Free State promises generous grants. But Murnau will remain on a deficit. A maximum of EUR 270,000 is earmarked for this in the household this year. "Public transport is always a subsidy business," says Beuting. But car traffic also gobbles up money - for example in the form of public underground garages.