Mosbach/Osterburken. Since December 2019 there has been regular passenger traffic on the section of the Frankenbahn between Osterburken and Lauda.
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The districts of Neckar-Odenwald and Main-Tauber as well as many citizens, especially in Rosenberg, Eubigheim, Wölchingen and Königshofen, fought for this. The trains stop there every hour again and offer a flexible connection to the regional centers of Würzburg, Heilbronn and Stuttgart.
Circles pay trial period
However, the state initially only set up the connection as a three-year trial operation, which the districts pay with municipal funds. If the test is successful and at least 500 passengers per kilometer use the offer every day, the state will continue to finance the operation, according to the firm commitment. Alone: This hurdle, which is demanding even in normal times, can hardly be reached due to the corona pandemic and the recommendation to keep the distances in public transport.
Accordingly, the extensive advertising activities of the two districts fell on poorly fertile ground. Even the students who were believed to be safe stayed away as users as a result of the school closings. A first non-binding count, which was commissioned by the local transport company Baden-Württemberg (NVBW), came to only 260 passengers in autumn. The districts are still a long way from the required target value of 500.
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This should now be different in the spring, in parallel to the hopefully possible push back of the pandemic through vaccinations. This clear goal was given by the district administration together with the district councils at the most recent meeting of the Committee on Economy, Environment and Transport in Hüffenhardt. The offer is advertised through an intensified target group-specific campaign, which is intended to address not only students but also employees and leisure travel. The advantages of rail as a means of transport compared to the alternative by car, especially in connection with a job ticket, should be emphasized. “But we also make it clear that long-term maintenance of the offer is only possible through active use and that rail use also makes an effective contribution to climate protection,” emphasized District Administrator Dr. Achim Brötel in the meeting.
He recalled the great spirit of optimism, for example during the big demonstration run in summer 2018, in which several thousand people took part in the train and on the platforms. “That was a great signal. Now it is important that we show those responsible in Stuttgart that we no longer want to give up this mobility offer, ”said the district administrator.
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In parallel to the preparation of the advertising campaign, both districts are in a constructive dialogue with the state. Although there is still no solution to the question of how to deal with the criteria for trial operation in the pandemic, there is an ongoing thread of conversation.
Lower the barriers
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This is to be resumed in summer together with the Main-Tauber district. The district councils welcomed this and suggested lowering the hurdle for continued operation in recognition of the circumstances. At the same time, the district administrator warned against repeatedly bringing special requests or deviating conceptual ideas into play. “This applies in particular to the stimulated thinning of the deliberately clocked weekday traffic in favor of a few offers on the weekends. From our point of view, that would be counterproductive, ”said Brötel. And further: “Above all, however, we cannot have an overall package that has been put together with the greatest of effort repeatedly questioned, but should keep the reins of action in our hands.” That is also the position of the Main-Tauber district.
Four counting days are planned for the current year under the leadership of the NVBW. The district also intends to have its own count. “We will therefore do everything we can to achieve the number of passengers,” said Brötel. He added that it was up to the population in the area around the route to accept the offer and ensure that it was maintained over the long term. A final decision on whether to continue trial operation is expected to be made at the end of 2021.
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