Since its launch on August 4, 2024, the VVS Rider has become an important addition to local public transport. More than 20,000 passengers have used the flexible service in the past 14 months. The daytime service in the four participating municipalities was particularly popular.
In view of this success, the district intended to turn the pilot project into a permanent regular service and applied for inclusion in the state funding program for on-demand transport. In order to meet the funding requirements, the service area was to be expanded and the operating hours extended. The municipalities of Löchgau, Freudental and Hessigheim signaled their interest in principle.
In October 2025, the Committee for Environment and Technology decided to include on-demand transport as an option in the current tender for the LB08 route bundle. The municipalities involved were also asked to discuss this option in their committees. A final decision on the continuation of the service should be made once the tender results and a funding commitment from the state are available.
Withdrawal of several municipalities leads to the end
"The district expressly regrets the discontinuation of the VVS-Rider - especially in view of its many users, the positive development and high level of acceptance among the population," says Jürgen Vogt, First State Official and Head of the Department for Law, Order and Transport.
The towns of Bietigheim-Bissingen and Tamm had already decided to discontinue the night service in September. In October, the city of Besigheim followed suit with its decision to withdraw from the project at the end of 2026. Despite further discussions with the remaining municipalities, additional negative feedback was ultimately received. This meant that it was not possible to create a uniform basis for continuation.
Until it is discontinued, the VVS Rider can still be used: on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Besigheim, Gemmrigheim, Kirchheim am Neckar and Walheim. In Bietigheim-Bissingen and Tamm, the minibuses are available at weekends between 10 pm and 5 am.
