Especially in regions of low density, where a regular transport service is not possible on a commercial basis, citizens buses can be a reasonable amendment. In rural areas pupils are important clients of railway and bus transit, but their number declines; in contrast, there is an increase in the proportion of senior citizens – they want and have to maintain a certain level of mobility even without personal motorisation. Public transport has to respond to these changing circumstances.

Along with citizens buses the project team focuses on other measures to complement the current public transport situation. Service stations are another example; they bundle information on public mobility services and connect them to regional tourism. Special offers for young people or senior citizens are also a conceivable option.

nexus chooses a bottom-up strategy for its project work, meaning the active collaboration with citizens and actors on the local level; team members from nexus and the University of Trier will work as counsellors for on-site initiatives. New approaches to public transport in rural areas are to be developed, regarding the legal and economic framework, while present transportation companies will be engaged in the process. Accordingly the project’s central goal is not to create a pure scientific survey, but to advise local groups actively and to accompany their efforts; focussing on rural areas in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.