1 Requirements for Long-distance Bus Terminals in Germany Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

2 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 Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

3 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 Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

4 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) Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

5 Introduction (3) Market share: long-distance bus companies in Germany Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim Source: Own diagram based of IGES-Institut, The German Long-distance Bus Market, December 2013

6 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? Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

7 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 2.… the importance to keep the planning process in their own hands 3.… the decision if bus terminals should be constructed centrally or decentralised 4.… who should be the developer and who should be the operator 5.… the financing possibilities (e.g. user fee, rental income, public funds,…) 6.… the requirements concerning the relevant facilities for long-distance bus Terminals 7.… the implementation of accessibility (also disabled access) Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

8 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 Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

9 Results of the survey (2) Financing is broken down by: …. User fees: 93 % …. Rental income: 70 % …. Subsidies: 59 % Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim Source: Own diagram based of the survey

10 Results of the survey (3) Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim CriteriaSimply bus stop Long-distance bus terminal Type 1Type 2Type 3Type 4Type 5 Size of the city and traffic-related significance of the bus stop < Inhabitants – Inhabitants – Inhabitants > Inhabitants Large starting/final bus stations, traffic junction (linked traffic infrastructure) LocationCentral (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 ≤ 22 – 55 – 15≥ 15Depending on the size type 3 or type 4 Departures per day ≤ 5050 – – 140≥ 140Depending on the size type 3 or type 4 Passengers per departures per day ≤ – – 2.800≥ 2.800Depending on the size type 3 or type 4 Typical facilitiesWeather 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 Depending on the size type 3 or type 4 Parking facilitiesKiss & Ride, parking spaces depending on the availability Additionally: Managed parking spaces Additionally: Managed parking spaces with long- stay parking Additionally: Park & Ride Depending on the size type 3 or type 4 ExamplesSimply bus stopUlmMannheimHamburg, München, BerlinDepending on the size type 3 or type 4

11 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 New infrastructure in the form of central long-distance bus terminals for the passengers is required Most 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 Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim

12 Thank you for your attention! Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Nurtingen-Geislingen University Parkstraße 4 D Geislingen Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / / Michaela Nachtsheim (Research assistant) Nurtingen-Geislingen University Parkstraße 4 D Geislingen Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / /