On-demand service: Holibri in Höxter supplements public transport with EQV

Electric mobility throughout the entire urban area of Höxter – that's what Holibri, the new on-demand service of the Paderborn/Höxter public transport association (nph) makes possible. Starting December 6, the electric Holibri vans will replace the less frequented bus lines HX1, HX2, HX3, and HX5. The five electric vans used, of the Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 model with a range of more than 350 km, are provided by Risse Reisen from Höxter. The bus company is a shareholder of go.on Gesellschaft für Bus- und Schienenverkehr, which won the contract for the line bundle 5 urban transport Höxter in a Europe-wide competitive procedure. The electric shuttles are fueled exclusively with green electricity.

“We have installed enough charging stations on our premises so that the vehicles can start 'fully charged' with green electricity every morning”, assures Bernhard Risse, Managing Director of Risse Reisen.

Funded with state funds

The Holibri project was awarded within the framework of the NRW structural development program REGIONALE 2022 in the state competition "Mobil.NRW – Model project innovative public transport in rural areas". The associated funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, totaling over 1.5 million euros, is set for three years.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer something that allows people in Höxter to be more flexible and mobile – even without their own car or the regular bus”, said Dr. Ulrich Conradi, head of the Paderborn/Höxter public transport association (nph). “This way, we provide the population with a real alternative to car traffic in the long term and contribute to the mobility transition and more climate protection.”

1,300 Stops and Virtual Haltepunkte

Passengers can board and disembark at 1,300 stops in the operating area. These include well-known bus stops and many other haltepunkte, mostly marked with stickers on street lamps. Approximately every 200 meters, boarding or alighting is possible in the service area. Holibri is integrated into the WestfalenTarif and is just as affordable as a bus ride.

The "On-Demand Transport" service is offered in the core city of Höxter, Lütmarsen, and Bossebom from Monday to Friday between 6 AM and 10 PM, on Saturdays from 8 AM to 10 PM, and on Sundays from 8 AM to 6 PM. In the evenings and on Sundays and public holidays, the service area is extended to cover the entire city area. During these times, Holibri operates weekdays from 6 PM to 10 PM, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 8 AM to 6 PM through all thirteen districts of Höxter.

Corona Protection Measures in the Holibri Van

On November 24, 2021, the 3G rule was implemented nationwide in public transport in Germany. Therefore, only vaccinated, recovered, or negatively tested individuals are allowed to use the Holibri service. A negative test must not be older than 48 hours (PCR test) or 24 hours (antigen rapid test). Self-tests are not accepted as proof. Children up to 6 years old as well as schoolchildren are exempt from the 3G rule.

Additionally, passengers must wear a mask. A protective screen is installed between the driver and the passengers. Furthermore, the vehicles are equipped with a powerful air conditioning system. High-quality air purification and sterilization devices that reduce viruses, bacteria, and odors are also present in the vehicles.

Electric sliding doors, ergonomic leather seats, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi ensure a high level of travel comfort.

Strollers and Wheelchairs in the Holibri Van

Two of the five vehicles are modified for limited mobility. They feature a 76 cm wide fold-out ramp at the rear, allowing the transport of wheelchairs (maximum size 75 x 100 cm) with a total weight of 350 kg. The transport of senior scooters is not possible.

Those who wish to use the Holibri service with children and strollers can transport the stroller folded in the van. Each vehicle has a child seat for children from 9 months old and two booster seats (for children from approximately 3.5 years old and over 15 kg). Infant car seats must be brought by the parents. For large and bulky strollers as well as for wheelchairs, a low-floor vehicle can be ordered to the pickup location via the wheelchair booking.

Three Ways to Book Journeys

A journey can be booked via the "Holibri" app, the website www.holibri.info, or by phone at the toll-free number 0800 – 97 87 77 77. Passengers specify their destination and receive a booking confirmation as well as the route to the stop via the app, web, or verbally over the phone.

This is how the service can be booked:

• Install and register the free Holibri app
• Specify travel request / start and destination (e.g., address)
• Specify desired time or receive a suggestion
• Book the journey (stopping point and departure time will be displayed)
• Pay with the driver or use a valid WestfalenTarif ticket

For more information, visit https://www.holibri.info/holibri/