Funding of regionally significant bus lines in public local passenger transport (ÖPNV)
The state of Lower Saxony grants subsidies for the financing of regionally significant bus lines in public transport for contracting authorities. Operating services are funded for up to 5 years. The commencement of bus line operations must take place before 31 December 2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for public transport authorities in commissioning operational services on state-significant bus routes to close gaps in regional rail transport and improve connections to medium-sized and major centers where rail expansion is not economically feasible.
Eligible expenses
- Coverage of operating cost deficits for bus lines
- Start-up financing
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Eligible to apply are public transport authorities in Lower Saxony and authorities from other federal states for operational services in Lower Saxony
- Bus lines must connect medium-sized centers or locations with high traffic volumes to upper centers or regional rail stations, or ensure spatial gap closures in the regional rail network
- Vehicles used must meet accessibility requirements
- Operational services must be provided in Lower Saxony
- Traffic cannot be satisfactorily served with existing services
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Documents required for application
- Application form
- Funding guidelines with annexes
- Proof of operational performance order
Description
The Lower Saxony funding program “Support for State-Relevant Bus Lines in Public Transport” is aimed at public transport authorities, including districts and municipalities, and offers continuous subsidies for the procurement of operational services on strategically important bus routes. With the goal of closing gaps in regional rail transport (SPNV) and connecting medium-sized and major centers to the rail network, barrier-free and customer-friendly bus connections with rail-like service quality are promoted. The funding period of up to 60 months guarantees long-term planning security, provided the lines commence operation by December 31, 2026, at the latest, and generally offer hourly scheduled services. Equipped with modern low-floor buses, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi, the subsidized lines ensure increased passenger satisfaction and seamless transfers. An evaluation secures the future continuation and ongoing adjustment of the program.
Eligible for funding are public transport authorities operating in Lower Saxony and beyond, particularly districts and municipalities that implement bus connections with significant traffic volumes or spatial gap closures in the SPNV offering within Lower Saxony. The program is deployed where existing transport services do not sufficiently meet demand and incentivizes the development of innovative bus systems in structurally weak regions. Funding covers the coverage of operating cost deficits as well as start-up financing within the framework of public service contracts. A prerequisite is the ordering of operational services for at least three years and their provision in Lower Saxony with barrier-free vehicles according to the specified service and quality standards. The subsidy amounts to up to €1.46 per scheduled kilometer plus €0.10 start-up financing. There is no fixed application deadline; only the commencement of operations must occur before December 31, 2026. For the application, the application form, funding guidelines with annexes, and proof of operational service order must be submitted.