At the end of October, Padam Mobility together with its partner Hacon launched a new Demand-Responsive Transport (DRT) service, the “Hüpper”, in Hürth, Rhine-Erft district, Germany. The service is designed to serve in particular those areas of the small town, with a population of nearly 60,000, that were previously poorly served by the public transport network. Specifically, the districts of Knapsack, Stotzheim and Sielsdorf will now be connected with important transport hubs in the surrounding area, such as the Central Bus Station (ZOB) in Hürth Mitte (city centre). The operational management of the Hüpper is being realised by Stadtwerke Hürth and the Regional Transport Authority of Cologne.
On the launch day, the project participants proudly presented the three brand new “Hüpper-Mobiles”, hybrid vehicles in the style of the famous London Cabs, which are absolute eye-catchers. People with walking aids or in wheelchairs can easily enter the spacious vehicles via a pull-out ramp. Inside, there is room for up to six passengers. Particularly practical: USB ports allow users to charge their smartphones during the journey so that they are immediately ready for the next booking.
The quality of mobility is a location factor and constitutes the quality of life – in the city and rural areas. That is why the state promotes innovative interconnected mobility solutions such as the ‘Hüpper’. The new on-demand bus makes mobility better, safer and cleaner. Hüpper’ is a great project for a successful, dynamic and future-oriented public transport system in Hürth.”
Dr Dirk Günnewig, Head of the Department for Policy Issues of Mobility, Digitalisation and Networking
Padam Mobility and Hacon provide the software for this new on-demand project. Future users can particularly be excited about the flexibility of the service. It promises that they will only have to walk a maximum of 200 metres to the next stop. Fixed stops and timetables are no longer necessary; instead, the vehicle’s route is based entirely on user demand. In addition, the hours of service have been extended: Users can access the transport service around the clock, every day of the week!
Users can book their trip via the app, phone or website. It is even possible to book in real-time. Currently, the system foresees a maximum waiting time of 30 minutes before the user is picked up by a vehicle.
The Hüpper is an important component for mobility in our city. We have a broad range of city bus services, which will now be supplemented according to demand.”
Dirk Breuer, Mayor of the City of Hürth
The Hüpper is funded as part of the public transport expansion offensive of the NRW Ministry of Transport. Under the heading “Mobil.NRW”, the federal state of NRW supports promising transport projects that have the potential to boost the use of public transport.
Click here to visit the “Hüpper” website (in German)!
This article might also interest you: With HertsLynx, Padam Mobility continues its activities in the UK
Learn more about Padam Mobility
