Citizen Bus Projects

Closed

Who is funded

The program targeted registered associations, especially citizen bus associations, and, in their absence, municipalities throughout Bavaria, with a particular focus on rural areas. The goal was to secure and create voluntary transport services to complement and support public local transport (ÖPNV), promoting equivalent living conditions in the Free State.

What is funded

Voluntary citizen bus projects in Bavaria that complement public local transport (ÖPNV) were funded. This included the purchase of minibuses, flat-rate organizational expenses for the associations, and the issuance of driving licenses for voluntary personnel. The projects had to be in line with local public transport plans and comply with the Passenger Transport Act.

Type and Scope of Funding

Funding was provided as a grant (project funding), partly as flat-rate financing, partly as co-financing. The grant amount varied depending on the funding object: vehicles were funded with up to 50% of the total expenses (max. 20,000 € or up to 30,000 € for barrier-free vehicles plus 2,500 € for low-emission drives), organizational expenses with a flat rate of 2,000 € annually, and driving licenses with 200 € per license. The funding period was the respective calendar year, and funded vehicles had to be used as citizen buses for six years or 300,000 km.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants had to demonstrate the voluntary nature and need of their citizen bus project, ensure its compatibility with public local transport (ÖPNV) and the Passenger Transport Act, and comply with the tie-up period for vehicles. The funding was also subject to the De Minimis Regulation and general budgetary provisions. A minimum of five driving licenses per application and a maximum of 30 driving licenses per vehicle over three years had to be observed.

Application Procedure

Applications for citizen bus projects, vehicle purchases, organizational flat rates, and driving licenses had to be submitted bundled once a year by September 30th to the locally responsible District Government in Bavaria. The application had to be accompanied by a meaningful project description, a cost and financing plan, and other declarations. Approval for early start of measures was deemed granted, but without a legal claim to funding.

Legal Basis

Funding for citizen bus projects was based on the Guideline for the Funding Program for Citizen Bus Projects of the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Building and Transport, last amended on December 1, 2022. In addition, the general budgetary provisions of the Free State of Bavaria applied, in particular the administrative regulations to Articles 23 and 44 of the Bavarian Budget Code (BayHO).