Deutsche Bahn also wants to provide travelers with climate-friendly and attractive mobility solutions off the rails. One example of this is rural regions, where there is often a lack of flexible solutions. On-demand plays a key role there. They can usefully supplement existing structures and create connections where conventional public transport has reached its limits.
On-demand: Attractive and climate-friendly
On-demand services are flexible transport services without fixed timetables or routes. Instead, the corresponding vehicles are on call and on demand, and bookings are usually made by app or phone. An algorithm often bundles similar travel requests into carpools so that several people can use a vehicle at the same time. This pooling increases capacity utilization and avoids unnecessary empty runs.
On-demand transport can make climate-friendly public transport more attractive thanks to its flexible and tailored service and is an alternative to using a private car, especially in rural areas. In addition, e-vehicles are often used in operations and only run when they are really needed. The basis of every on-demand transportation service is specific planning that takes into account actual mobility needs and flows. In this way, individual concepts are created taking into account the special requirements on site.
Smart solution for digital local transport
The central component of digital on-demand transport is smart software that bundles incoming customer requests, forms carpools and calculates the best routes. Together with local and regional transport companies, which take over operations on site, DB Regio creates tailor-made mobility offers in the respective region. Whether as a feeder service to the station or as coverage for complete and partial routes: The aim is to integrate on-demand services into existing local public transport.
