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Funding for Bus Lines of State Importance in Public Local Transport (ÖPNV)
Open

Grant
Last updated: 14.6.2025

The state of Lower Saxony supports public transport authorities (ÖPNV) in financing bus lines of state importance. These grants aim to specifically expand road-based local transport to complement rail public transport (SPNV) and close service gaps. The program promotes the connection of important centers and places with particular traffic volumes through barrier-free and modernly equipped bus lines.

Who is funded?

This funding program is aimed at public transport authorities (ÖPNV) in Lower Saxony and neighbouring federal states who wish to improve the financing of bus lines of state importance within Lower Saxony. The goal is to supplement rail public transport (SPNV) by connecting important centres and closing network gaps.

What is funded?

The subject of funding is the operating services of bus lines of state importance in road-based public transport that complement rail transport. This includes connecting medium-sized centres, closing spatial and temporal gaps in the SPNV network, and connecting places with particular traffic volumes. Only new services are subsidised.

Type and Extent of Funding

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant, whose amount per schedule kilometer is staggered and depends on the fiscal capacity of the respective region. Additionally, start-up financing is possible. The funding period is limited to a maximum of five years, with operations commencing by the end of 2026.

Conditions and Requirements

Funding is tied to specific legal, operational, and quality conditions, including compliance with accessibility standards, adherence to a public service obligation, and fulfillment of certain service and quality standards. Regulations also exist regarding subsidy relevance and cooperation in the application process.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted to Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG), generally at least six months before the planned start of operations. The granting authority decides on applications within the framework of available budget funds and at its dutiful discretion. There is no legal entitlement to the grant.

The funding program is based on the Guideline on the Granting of Subsidies for the Promotion of Bus Lines of State Importance in Public Local Transport (ÖPNV) and is regulated by specific laws and regulations at state and EU level.

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Funding Overview

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

€1.46 per schedule kilometer

Open Until

Open Until:

31.12.2026

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Demand Driven Scheme

Region

Region:

Lower Saxony (Germany)

Sectors

Sectors:

Transportation and Logistics

Beneficiaries

Beneficiaries:

Public Local Transport

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Planning, Implementation, Service Delivery

Funding Provider

Program Level: Regional

Funding Body: Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Transport, Building and Digitalisation (MW)

Managed By: State Public Transport Company Lower Saxony mbH (LNVG)

Additional Partners: Rail public transport authorities

Website: Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH (LNVG)