The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is investing significant resources in a pioneering mobility project in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With a funding amount of 2.34 million euros, the ministry is supporting the “ARuf-LUP” project in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, which is intended to integrate autonomous on-call buses into the public transport system.
The project addresses key rural challenges public transports. In sparsely populated areas, transport companies face complex problems: low population density, long distances and limited financial resources make it difficult to provide flexible mobility offers. Many residents have limited access to public transportation, which affects their quality of life and social participation.
The project envisages the integration of five autonomous vehicles into the existing on-call bus system. The central goal is to improve mobility, reduce CO2 emissions and increase the quality of life in the region. The vehicles should be particularly tailored to the needs of residents in rural areas.
State Secretary Stefan Schnorr emphasized the importance of the project for the digitalization of the mobility sector. The results could serve as a model for other rural regions and provide important insights into the economic integration of autonomous vehicles into existing transport systems.
The Ludwigslust-Parchim mbH transport company is coordinating the project with a total volume of 4.69 million euros. The funding comes as part of the “Autonomous and connected driving in public transport” directive.
The project symbolizes technological progress in the mobility sector and shows innovative solutions to the challenges of rural areas. It combines technological innovation with the aim of improving quality of life and mobility in sparsely populated areas.