Freyfahrt Shuttle: On-demand bus in rural areas

Small town Freyung in Lower Bavaria becomes rural trailblazer

In May 2017, door2door and the city of Freyung began a collaboration to bring an on-demand bus service to the region, with support from then German Federal Minister of Transport, Alexander Dobrint. The high level of political presence underlines the importance of improving mobility in rural areas. The county seat of Freyung in the district of Lower Bavaria, located in the Bavarian Forest near the Czech and Austrian borders, is proving to be a true mobility pioneer, raising the bar for rural areas by testing innovative mobility concepts.

Facing challenges in rural areas

In times of demographic change and continued urbanization, it is crucial to connect rural areas to larger population centres. Better access to other cities in the area increases the attractiveness of rural living and has thus proven to be effective in countering rural flight. The aim is to provide reliable and sustainable mobility solutions that meet the demands of both older and younger generations.

door2door co-founder Maxim Nohroudi with then Federal Minister of Transport Alexander Dobrindt and Mayor of Freyung Dr. Olaf Heinrich

Technology-driven mobility concepts improve quality of rural life

Besides the common demand-based mobility offerings in rural areas, such as taxi shuttles, digital mobility solutions offer new possibilities for commuting, such as on-demand buses. Particularly in rural areas this concept can enrich or substitute traditional means of transport and provide a comfortable and efficient way to travel that is always available.

On-demand mobility in Freyung

The situation in Freyung is similar to many rural areas. I am very happy to see the town breaking new ground and I very much hope that many colleagues will follow suit.

Dr. Olaf Heinrich

Mayor of Freyung

On-demand shuttles as part of public transport strengthen local service providers

Freyung public transport struggles to meet the daily needs of its citizens. Despite its remote location, Freyung has a booming industry and relies heavily on finding new talent. In order to attract young people to the region, the on-demand bus service needs to be a reliable option to travel from A to B during late hours and on weekends, diminishing the need for a private vehicle. During the first implementation phase the new service will be introduced complementary to the existing public transport system. On implementation, local bus and taxi companies will be able to better utilize their fleets and benefit from reliable revenues. In addition to improving mobility for its citizens, the aim should also be to strengthen existing local mobility providers.

To attract young people to the region, the new on-demand bus service was introduced to complement the existing public transport system

August 2018: Launch
Operating with public transport service concession §42
and over 250 virtual fixed stops
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April/May 2020
Development of a hygiene and safety concept for
the freYfahrt during the COVID-19 pandemic
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May 2021
Contract extension for five years
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The future of on-demand mobility in rural areas

Further expansion stages are already being discussed and Freyung will be regarded as a pioneer in testing innovative mobility concepts for rural areas. It is important to experiment and gain experience in order to help rural areas stay relevant and connected. The needs in rural areas differ from those in large cities, and mobility solutions should reflect that. At door2door we overcome these challenges and work with committed communities, partners, policymakers and initiatives to strengthen rural areas long-term.