The committee has also instructed the district administration to examine whether scheduled services can be replaced by on-demand services in the event of low capacity utilization when awarding future contracts. In this way, larger areas could be connected and bus circulations could be saved. Finally, the administration, in coordination with the other districts in the network, should supplement the tender documents to allow transport companies to offer services as on-demand services during off-peak times.
By the end of May 2025, 10,440 passengers on day services and 3,110 passengers on night services
The VVS Rider has been well received: By the end of May 2025, around 10,440 passengers had been transported on daytime services in Besigheim, Kirchheim, Gemmrigheim and Walheim. In Bietigheim-Bissingen and Tamm, there were 3,110 passengers on the night service.
The Ministry of Transport has now updated its funding program for on-demand transport. Among other things, spatial expansions of existing services are now eligible for funding. The district then asked the 18 towns and municipalities in route bundle 08 whether they were interested in expanding the on-demand service geographically, with the result that six further municipalities have registered their interest.
The funding should make the project more cost-effective for everyone involved. By applying for the funding program, the district is not entering into any obligation. If necessary, the municipalities and the district would have to make their decisions by the end of 2025 so that the VVS rider can be included as an independent lot in the tender for route bundle 08.
