Grants for the Procurement of Buses for Public Local Passenger Transport (ÖPNV)
The state of Lower Saxony supports the purchase of new and used barrier-free, environmentally friendly buses in public transport. Applications must be submitted annually by May 31 for acquisitions in the following year.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The state of Lower Saxony supports transport companies and contracting authorities in the purchase of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses (new and used) for the establishment of new routes, expansion and densification of existing routes, as well as for replacement procurement in scheduled transport within Lower Saxony.
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition costs for new buses and trailers
- Acquisition costs for used buses
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Operation of scheduled services in Lower Saxony as a transport company or vehicle holding company
- Positive statement from the responsible authority confirming that the funding complies with the local transport plan
- Vehicles must have low-floor technology if available on the market
- At least 51% deployment in scheduled services and an annual operating performance of 30,000 vehicle-km (minibuses 20,000)
- Replacement acquisitions: buses to be replaced after 10 years with >300,000 km (minibuses 200,000 km)
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Documents required for application
- Application
- Positive statement from the responsible authority
- Funding guidelines and forms
Description
Bus Procurement Program The state of Lower Saxony provides subsidies to transport companies and public transport authorities for the acquisition of modern, accessible, and environmentally friendly buses. Funding is granted for both new vehicles with diesel, electric, hybrid, or natural gas drives as well as used buses up to five years old. The objective is to establish new routes, expand and densify existing services, and replace old vehicles. Applications must be submitted annually by May 31 to secure funding for the following calendar year.
A prerequisite for approval is the operation of scheduled services in Lower Saxony as well as a positive assessment of the respective local transport plan. The buses must be equipped with low-floor technology, if available on the market, perform at least 51% of the annual mileage in scheduled service (30,000 vehicle-km, 20,000 vehicle-km for minibuses), and for replacement procurements, have a mileage exceeding 300,000 km (200,000 km for minibuses) after ten years of operation. Used vehicles must comply with the valid Euro emission standard. New buses must be used for the intended purpose for ten years (seven years for minibuses, alternatively five years at 250,000 km); the binding period for used vehicles is reduced by the vehicle’s age. The funding rates amount to 40% for new vehicles and 20% for used vehicles of the eligible acquisition costs, including trailers. All details can be found in the funding guidelines and application forms of the Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH.