The on-demand service is to be implemented in Besigheim, Kirchheim, Walheim, Gemmrigheim, Bietigheim-Bissingen and Tamm and will run from 2023 to 2026. The district will cover the entire software and marketing costs as well as 50 percent of the operating costs of the pilot project if the participating municipalities finance the remaining 50 percent. The on-demand services already anchored in the local transport plan are intended to supplement the existing scheduled services. The pilot project is intended to gather experience as to whether on-demand services should be used as an integral part of scheduled services throughout the district in the future. To this end, various approaches are being pursued in rush-hour traffic, at weekends and at night.
The district administration and AUT consider it sensible to start the pilot project next year and not to make it dependent on funding. The next step is to obtain the approval of the municipalities in question for implementation and co-financing. They have already signaled their interest in the project.
Accessible cars or minibuses with up to eight passenger seats and an electric drive are to be used for the on-demand services. Two vehicles are planned for the regular operation of the on-demand service in order to be able to guarantee the desired times in the event of high passenger demand. A third vehicle will serve as a reserve vehicle. A transport company already in possession of regular service concessions in the pilot project area will be responsible for operating the on-demand service. For the pilot period, software that is already being used by Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG will initially be used. Journeys can be booked via an app or by telephone. The VVS tariff will apply to the use of on-demand services: All passengers who already have a valid ticket for the fare zone of the on-demand service can then use the on-demand service without a surcharge.
The key objectives of on-demand transport are to reduce private transport and carbon dioxide emissions by using electric vehicles and to create an attractive service to cover the "last mile". On-demand transport is to be organized as "free area transport" without a fixed timetable and without fixed stops with so-called virtual stops. A virtual stop only exists in the data system so that several stops can be defined at short intervals. The high density of stops makes public transport even more attractive. In areas where on-demand transport serves as a supplement, it should only be possible to book a trip if there is no scheduled or rail service at the same time. The planned software can control this and also enable the efficient transportation of several passengers without long waiting and detour times.
