An "export hit" from Ottobeuren

Created: 05/13/2022, 08:00

Self-made traffic turnaround: Another tool for saving energy is now available to the general public in many Oberallgäu communities: the ride-sharing platform “fahrmob.eco” was launched in Sonthofen at the weekend.

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Ottobeuren/Oberallgäu - The official launch of the club-based ridesharing platform "fahrmob.eco" was celebrated with a colorful information event at the weekend.

According to the initiators, it not only serves climate protection, but also volunteer work.

The ride-sharing platform fahrmob.eco was launched in Ottobeuren in October 2019. As part of the "AllgaEu-mobil" funding project, the concept has now also convinced 18 mayors in Oberallgäu, who have now adopted it for their municipalities.

At the start, guests from many of the participating communities had traveled to Sonthofen in car pools.

The vehicles ranged from the fire brigade emergency bus to the mayor's limousine and electric cars.

They were welcomed by numerous Allgäu associations and initiative groups, which formed the appropriate framework for the start of the new offer with a "market of opportunities".

The successful start was preceded by a long and labor-intensive phase of preparation: the district had used a donation from the Schönau electricity works to make the original concept by Helmut Scharpf from Ottobeuren also available as a smartphone app.

The Oberallgäu District Administrator Indra Baier-Müller has been closely involved in the development of the initiative for a year: "After seven information events for clubs and the clarification of many detailed questions, I am all the more pleased that the ride-sharing app fahrmob.eco has been in use for a few weeks now without any problems will.

Every shared car trip avoids exhaust fumes and saves fuel.

This is more important today than ever before in the face of war in Europe and the climate crisis.

I think that we have found the right time with our project",

she said with visible joy about the successful start.

She also thanked the town hall leaders who had advertised the offer on site and expressed the hope that all Oberallgäu municipalities - and beyond - will soon join the growing ride-sharing network.

In addition to the well-known approach that drivers and passengers can be found on a ride-sharing platform, there is a special feature at fahrmob.eco: Ride providers are willing to donate the petrol money they collect to an Allgäu club of their choice.

In the ecological and social project, the drivers are not concerned with the money.

It is not necessary to be a member of a club and there are no costs involved.

The new app now also makes it possible to link ride-sharing and public transport, and soon 60 ride-along benches will also be integrated into the digital world.

The sponsors from the Schönau electricity works, Nadine Hoffmann-Hauser, and the Office for Rural Development, Miriam Lohmüller, also sent good wishes for the start.

Christof Endreß, as the participating mayor and head of regional development Oberallgäu, gave an outlook towards the future and indicated that regional development wanted to support the initiative even more intensively in the future.

Finally, Helmut Scharpf from Ottobeuren, who came up with the idea, had his say and described his motives - from the climate crisis to a sense of community to strengthening the club system.

He expressed his hope that Memmingen and Kempten as well as the other Allgäu districts will soon join.