The German federal government has significantly reduced funding for mobility projects as part of its budget measures, and the consequences are being felt in many different places. This is also the case in Gütersloh in East Westphalia, for example:
Stadtbus Gütersloh GmbH has received a cancellation from the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility for the funding applied for in the “ÖPNV-Modellprojekt – Gütersloh beweGT” (public transport project Gütersloh in motion) funding application. Following the decision and the entry into force of the Federal Budget Act 2024, unfortunately no approval can be given for model projects of the 3rd call for funding, according to the press release.
“Stadtbus Gütersloh GmbH would have liked to further develop the mobility mix in our city with the announced federal funding,” says Stadtbus Managing Director Ralf Libuda. “I very much regret these developments, as we would all have liked to have taken advantage of the great opportunity that presented itself for the city and for us.”
Stadtbus Gütersloh GmbH had applied for possible funding under the “Model projects to strengthen local public transport” funding guideline issued by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport on 12 January 2021. The funding amount was expected in the amount of 11 million euros, to be paid out over a 3-years-period. The aim was to significantly increase the modal split in Gütersloh in favour of public transport, which currently is approximately 7%.
