Complementary Public Transport Services to Improve Mobility in Rural Areas with Demand-Oriented General Public Transport Operating Models and Pilot Projects for Cross-District Express Bus Connections in Bus Transport (ErNa)

Last updated: 14.6.2025
Grant

The Complementary Public Transport Services (ErNa) funding program by the Free State of Bavaria supports improving mobility in rural areas. It offers grants for flexible, demand-oriented public transport operating models and cross-district express bus connections, with a special focus on the use of clean and automated vehicles. The program aims to expand public transport accessibility and year-round travel options in all parts of Bavaria.

Who is funded: Target Groups and Geographical Coverage

The ErNa funding program is exclusively aimed at public transport authorities in Bavaria to improve mobility, especially in rural areas. The goal is to expand accessibility in public transport (ÖPNV) and ensure year-round travel options in all parts of the state. Projects located in areas with a particular need for action and/or promoting the use of clean, highly automated, or autonomous vehicles are preferred.

What is Funded: Project Types and Eligible Expenditures

The ErNa program supports the establishment and significant expansion of projects that improve mobility in rural Bavaria. This includes flexible, demand-oriented operating models in public transport as well as cross-district express bus connections. Primarily, operating cost deficits are eligible for funding, while planning and investment costs are excluded, with some exceptions for digitalization and marketing measures.

Type and Scope of Funding

Funding is provided as a grant in the form of project funding with degressive co-financing, based on operating cost deficits. The funding rate is staggered over four years and can be increased by special project characteristics. A co-payment from the public transport authorities is mandatory.

Conditions and Requirements

For funding under the ErNa program, specific conditions and requirements must be met, ranging from compliance with legal bases to operational guidelines. These include approvals under the Passenger Transport Act, compliance with European law, and certain obligations regarding data provision and public relations.

Application Procedure: Process and Decision-Making

The application procedure for funding mobility projects in rural Bavaria is clearly structured. Applications must be submitted to the locally competent government authority and must include a detailed project description as well as a cost and financing plan. Approval is granted by the government authorities, which also monitor the proper and appropriate use of the funds.

The ErNa funding program is based on a specific guideline from the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport. This guideline and other general budgetary, European, and national laws form the legal framework for granting subsidies.

Similar Programs

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Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Open

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

Funding amounts to 65% in the 1st year, 55% in the 2nd year, 45% in the 3rd year, 40% in the 4th year, and thereafter 35% of the eligible expenses incurred by public transport authorities for covering operating cost deficits.

Deadline

Deadline:

always open

Open Until

Open Until:

31.12.2026

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Demand Driven Scheme

Region

Region:

Bavaria (Free State of Bavaria, especially rural areas)

Sectors

Sectors:

Transportation and Logistics, Green Technology, Information and Communication Technology

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Public Transport (ÖPNV), Mobility, Transport

Application Type

Application Type:

Single Applicant

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Implementation, Service Delivery, Planning

Funding Provider

Program Level:

Regional

Funding Body:

Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Building and Transport

Managed By:

competent District Government of Bavaria

Additional Partners:

Bavarian Railway Company (coordination), Federal Government (funding Deutschlandticket)

Website:

BayernPortal

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