Rufbus "hoki" on the road to success: Now neighboring communities also want to get on board

It's neither a bus nor a taxi, but somehow both: the "hoki" on-demand bus has only been on the road since September, but has apparently found a track to success.

7,500 passengers have already been chauffeured across the municipal area by the two minivans.

Now the neighboring communities also want to get involved.

Holzkirchen

– Buses run infrequently and according to a rigid schedule, often they only move warm air through the landscape.

Taxis are on demand, but expensive.

On-demand buses like the "hoki" are a modern variant of local public transport that pick up and deliver passengers very flexibly - and for very little money.

In September, the market town of Holzkirchen replaced two local bus lines with the "hoki" at a cost of 30,000 euros a month.

A lot of money, but the concept is well received by the citizens faster than expected.

The company commissioned by the community, Omobi, carried out almost 6,000 trips in the first five months.

7500 passengers got into the two silver-green minivans.

As Eva-Maria Schmitz, location promoter in the town hall, explains on request, 5,300 of them were between 15 and 65 years old.

1965 Children and senior citizens only pay half the fare (normally two euros per trip).

"Many seniors use the offer to be more mobile again and to take advantage of leisure activities or doctor's appointments independently," says Schmitz.

210 small children (under the age of six) attended free of charge.

"We didn't expect the great acceptance in such a short time," says Schmitz.

The secret of its success is obvious to her: "The big advantage of our 'hoki' is its flexibility." Via an app on the mobile phone, optionally by telephone, you enter a travel request, time and route.

The app immediately makes an offer, 241 stops in the municipal area between Pelletsmühl and Fellach are possible.

"The way to the bus stops is longer and more difficult," says Schmitz.

Experience shows that people often get on and off at the train station or on the market square.

The “hoki”, for which six drivers are employed, can be requested at short notice (if available) or up to a week in advance.

The on-call bus is in service on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Fridays until 1 a.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

According to Schmitz, the highest demand is between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Passengers have to accept that the dial-a-bus does not take them directly to their destination, but makes loops to pick up other passengers.

The on-call bus has so far been able to serve 80 percent of all inquiries.

According to Schmitz, some also come from neighboring communities: "But we are only allowed to serve the community area." This is what an agreement with the district provides, which has so far only transferred responsibility for buses to the market community.

However, other communities are now also showing interest.

In fact, there have already been initial talks, as Schmitz confirms.

"Such a call bus would also be interesting for us," says Otterfing's Mayor Michael Falkenhahn.

A connection to Holzkirchen would be desirable, but also across to Kreuzstraße (Valley municipality);

a public cross connection between the S-Bahn lines is missing so far.

Valley's town hall boss Bernhard Schäfer is also impressed by how well the "hoki" is received: "It would be a great thing, especially for Oberlaindern." His Warngau colleague Klaus Thurnhuber could imagine that for Lochham, the Birkerfeld industrial park, perhaps Ober- and Osterwarngau.

"We have to rethink mobility," says Thurnhuber.

"We communities are also called upon to do so." You also have to spend money on this: "It is clear that mobility like this is not available for free." received funding approval.

By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Holzkirchen newsletter.