1 requirements for long-distance bus terminals in germany prof. dr. andreas saxinger michaela...

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Requirements for Long-distance Bus Terminals in GermanyProf. Dr. Andreas Saxinger

Michaela Nachtsheim

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Long-distance Bus Terminals

Agenda

Introduction – current relevance of this topic

Deficits – where and why?

Survey of requirements for long-distance bus terminals

Results of the survey

Conclusion

Prof. Dr. Andreas SaxingerProf. Dr. Andreas Saxinger

Michaela NachtsheimMichaela Nachtsheim

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Introduction (1)- Legal realities -

For many decades: no relevance of long-distance busses in Germany

• Long distance passenger transport by rail was legally protected from competition

• Applications for long-distance bus line concessions had no chance of success

Significantly liberalized market for long-distance busses by the

Amendment of the German Federal Passenger Transportation Act to 1st January 2013

• Entrepreneurs still need an official concession (only for security reasons)

• For granting concessions it is irrelevant, whether other bus or railway companies already

operate the transport service applied for (parallel operations are allowed)

• On long-distance lines competition between different bus companies is now possible

• No regulation of fares by public authorities

Long-distance Bus TerminalsProf. Dr. Andreas SaxingerProf. Dr. Andreas Saxinger


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Introduction (2) - Market development since the liberalisation -

Really fast market grown since the liberalisation

• A new market in Germany was created on 1st January 2013

• Within a short time applications for many new connections from different companies were

submitted

• The acceptance of domestic long-distance bus services by passengers is extremely high

• Currently companies compete heavily on low special prices

Rapid growth of new services but no new infrastructure

• In many cities new infrastructure for the passengers is required (bus terminals)

• The German Federal Legislator provides no regulations for this type of infrastructure

• The German Federal Passenger Transportation Act only knows the term “bus stop”, which requires signage by the bus company (minimal standard)



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Introduction (3)

Market share: long-distance bus companies in Germany



Source: Own diagram based of IGES-Institut, The German Long-distance Bus Market, December 2013

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Deficits - Long-distance bus terminals -

Many cities in Germany do not have a suitable infrastructure for

long-distance bus terminals (infrastructure only for urban traffic)

• Available bus stops are overburdened

• Bus companies are forced to choose second best bus stops

• Location of a bus terminal has to be integrated in the urban planning process

Consequence: new infrastructure is required

• Bus companies wish bus terminals in an attractive location with a minimum of comfort

for their passengers

Outstanding questions:

• Who is responsible for the financing and construction?

• What are the requirements concerning location and facilities?



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Survey

Basis of the survey of requirements for long-distance bus terminals• 50 municipalities were contacted, 27 responded

• The most important cities in Germany were questioned

• Included are smaller cities as well, because in Germany the long-distance bus transport is important also for smaller cities, where the rail connection is not well developed

Questions referred to…

... the current relevance of this topic for municipalities

… the importance to keep the planning process in their own hands

… the decision if bus terminals should be constructed centrally or decentralised

… who should be the developer and who should be the operator

… the financing possibilities (e.g. user fee, rental income, public funds,…)

… the requirements concerning the relevant facilities for long-distance bus Terminals

… the implementation of accessibility (also disabled access)



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Results of the survey (1)

93 % of the cities are discussing about long-distance bus terminals

100 % want to keep the planning process in their own hands

81 % prefer central locations for bus terminals

Existing infrastructure is the most important requirement factor for long-distance bus

terminals, but currently mostly suitable for urban traffic

The opinion concerning developer and operator is balanced

• 33 %: Developer and operator should be the municipality

• 30 %: Developer and operator should be a private company

• 30 %: Developer should be the municipality, operator a private company

• 27 %: Any other combination is possible



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Financing is broken down by:

…. User fees: 93 %

…. Rental income: 70 %

…. Subsidies: 59 %



Source: Own diagram based of the survey

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Criteria Simply bus stop Long-distance bus

terminal

Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 Type 5Size of the cityand traffic-related significance of the bus stop

< 100.000Inhabitants

100.000 –200.000Inhabitants

200.000 – 500.000Inhabitants

> 500.000Inhabitants

Large starting/final bus stations, traffic junction

(linked traffic infrastructure)

Location Central Central(Near the main station)

Central(Near the main station)

Central(Near the main station, maybe a

second one decentralised near the airport)

Central(Near the main station,

maybe a second one decentralised near the

airport)Number of stopping places

≤ 2 2 – 5 5 – 15 ≥ 15 Depending on the size type 3 or type 4

Departures per day

≤ 50 50 – 100 100 – 140 ≥ 140 Depending on the size type 3 or type 4

Passengers per departures per day

≤ 1.000 1.000 – 2.000 2.000 – 2.800 ≥ 2.800 Depending on the size type 3 or type 4

Typical facilities Weather shelter, seats, timetable

Additionally: Toilets, heated waiting area,ticket vendig machines

Additionally:Shops, kiosk, convenience-stores, restaurants, travel agency,utility infrastructure for busses, bathrooms with showers, baggage room, dynamic passenger information

Additionally:Larger loading zones for international transportation, tourist information, police, first aid, shopping facilities, personal customer service, money exchange, overnight accommodation

Depending on the size type 3 or type 4

Quality of transport connections

Local public transport connection

Additionally:taxi

Additionally:car-sharing, car rental

Additionally:Connection to the airport


Parking facilities Kiss & Ride, parking spaces depending on the availability

Additionally: Managed parking spaces

Additionally: Managed parking spaces with long-stay parking

Additionally:Park & Ride


Examples Simply bus stop Ulm Mannheim Hamburg, München, Berlin Depending on the size type 3 or type 4

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Conclusions

1. The long-distance bus transport market recorded a rapid growth since the Amendment of the German Federal Passenger Transportation Act to 1st January 2013

2. New infrastructure in the form of central long-distance bus terminals for the passengers is requiredMost suitable are central locations near the main railway station, because of the existing infrastructure

3. There are different requirements for long-distance bus terminals depending on - the size of the city, - the traffic-related significance and - the existing infrastructure



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Thank you for your attention!Thank you for your attention!

Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger

Nurtingen-Geislingen UniversityParkstraße 4D-73312 Geislingen

Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / 22 - 584 / -543

e-mail: [email protected]

Michaela Nachtsheim (Research assistant)

Nurtingen-Geislingen UniversityParkstraße 4D-73312 Geislingen

Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / 22 - 584 / -543

e-mail: [email protected]

1 requirements for long-distance bus terminals in germany prof. dr. andreas saxinger michaela...

Documents

bus market

bus services

bus terminalsresults

different bus companies

bus terminals infrastructure

bus line concessions

term bus stop

best bus stopslocation