Requirements for Long-distance Bus T erminals in Germany Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger

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

2. Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim Agenda • Introduction – current relevance of this topic • Deficits – where and why? • Survey of requirements for long-distance bus terminals • Results of the survey • Conclusion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim Results of the survey (3)

11. Long-distance Bus Terminals Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger Michaela Nachtsheim Conclusions • The long-distance bus transport market recorded a rapid growth since the Amendment of the German Federal Passenger Transportation Act to 1st January 2013 • 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 • There are different requirements for long-distance bus terminals depending on - the size of the city, - the traffic-related significance and- the existing infrastructure

12. Thank you for your attention! • Prof. Dr. Andreas Saxinger • Nurtingen-Geislingen UniversityParkstraße 4D-73312 Geislingen • Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / 22 - 584 / -543 • e-mail: andreas.saxinger@hfwu.de • Michaela Nachtsheim (Research assistant) • Nurtingen-Geislingen UniversityParkstraße 4D-73312 Geislingen • Tel.: 0049 / 7331 / 22 - 584 / -543 • e-mail: nachtsheimm@stud.hfwu.de