"The VVS-Rider has shown that flexible mobility services work and are accepted in rural areas. Now it is up to the state and local authorities to work together to set the course for a sustainable continuation," said District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier.
While the daytime service reached record numbers with around 2,300 passengers in July 2025, the night-time service in Bietigheim-Bissingen and Tamm will be discontinued on December 31, 2026. Following the announced withdrawal of the city of Bietigheim-Bissingen, it is not possible to continue operating the service economically. Passenger numbers in Tamm alone are not sufficient to cover the costs.
Funding from the state is crucial for continuation
The annual operating costs of the VVS-Rider currently amount to around 537,000 euros. The district bears half of the costs as well as the expenses for software and marketing. Continuation of the project beyond 2026 depends largely on funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg. The district has already submitted an application for inclusion in the state funding program for on-demand transport. The decision is still pending.
In order to meet the funding requirements, the service area is to be expanded to include the municipalities of Löchgau and Freudental and the operating hours extended. This would mean that the VVS-Rider would also operate in the early morning and late evening hours in future. In this way, the mobility guarantee demanded by the state - an hourly public transport service between 5 a.m. and midnight - can be fulfilled.
Next steps
The option to continue the VVS rider is to be included in the current tender for the LB08 line bundle. A corresponding correction to the preliminary announcement will be made this year. The final decision on the future of the offer will be made by the Committee for the Environment and Technology and the municipalities involved as soon as the tender results and the funding commitment from the state are available.
