Inhabitants and entrepreneurs in rural areas, tourists
Private/Public – the company is private but the project is funded by the region
Old Postbus rethought.
A bus company brings people and goods to their destinations and puts rural supplies in the fast lane
Not only passengers board the buses of the Uckermärkische Verkehrsgesellschaft. They also transport parcels or frozen food to the most remote village. As combi buses, they serve all stops in the local public transport network. Shops, restaurants and companies are supplied several times a day - and bike rental companies get their rental bikes back quickly. The KombiBus is worthwhile for the sparsely populated region: companies save long distances and costs for purchasing or shipping goods. And on site, customers can be sure that the shelves are always well stocked. You can find impressions of the award ceremony here.
The main idea for the UVG was to improve the profitability of public transport by opening up a new business area. An underutilized bus has unused cargo space that can be used to transport goods for a fee. Against the background of a population decline that has been ongoing since 1990, which is accompanied by a deterioration in the profitability of public transport, the transport of goods and goods should generate additional income in order to expand the existing public transport offer in the district and thus also to attract new passengers.
For the district of Uckermark and the state of Brandenburg, on the other hand, the improvement of rural infrastructure and the testing of new strategies for public services of general interest were in the foreground. With an improvement in the quality of life, both in the area of transport and in the area of supply, the KombiBus should strengthen the location of the district of Uckermark. By making use of free capacity in scheduled services, the KombiBus also helps to conserve resources.
The use of existing bus routes and infrastructure strengthens the public transport net for inhabitants, such as pupils and those without cars, as well as tourists. There is no competition and the rural government has developed and supports the project, as it reactivates previously active routes. Other positive aspects are securing jobs, mobility, and ecological. The cooperation between the stakeholders in the area grows, taking in improved mobility also for local producers and their local and touristic customers. Online business is strengthened and brings further jobs.
