From January 1, 2024, Erlangen will offer free public transport throughout the city center as part of a three-year pilot project. The bus network was also expanded to include the City Line with the timetable change in December. As a ring route, it will connect the large parking lot, various multi-storey parking lots and central points such as the university hospitals, the arcades and the northern city center.
Easy and convenient travel
The service is intended not least to reach those who come to the city center by car. They will be offered an attractive opportunity to park on the edge of the city center in the large parking lot and in the multi-storey parking lots and then continue their journey conveniently by bus. "All committees have given the green light for more environmentally friendly mobility and an attractive and easily accessible city center," says Mayor Florian Janik happily. "We want to make bus travel in the city center as easy and convenient as possible," continued Janik. Nobody needs to buy a ticket any more, you can just get on. For him, free public transport will make the city center much more attractive and help to revitalize the retail sector.
Three-year pilot phase
Within the VGN, it has been agreed that the project will initially run for a limited period of time and will be evaluated in parallel. "We are getting ready for a pilot project that is unique on this scale," says Janik. The city will have to compensate for the loss of revenue resulting from the city center zone being free of charge. Costs of around 300,000 euros per year are expected, plus future tariff adjustments. At the same time, preparations are already underway to expand the "Clinic Line" into the "City Line". From the timetable change, this will then connect further parts of the city, including the southern city center, with modern e-buses.
