Via-Project "sprinti": Flexible and barrier-free around Hanover

The Hannover region and the bus companies Üstra and regiobus will start a trial phase for an on-demand project called “sprinti” in June 2021, which will last up to three and a half years. After a tender, their partner is the US corporation Via, which will deploy 20 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Mobility vehicles. These vehicles can transport up to six passengers and, via a rear lift, also up to two wheelchair users, which is a novelty for such services. The 20 vehicles are intended to cover the three municipalities Springe, Sehnde, and Wedemark, complementing the bus routes there. Via will employ its own staff for this purpose. It is said to be “around 100 personnel”.

The rides are to be used without a surcharge with a valid ticket from the Großraum-Verkehr Hannover GmbH (GVH). The minibuses, which operate between virtual stops, can only be booked using the GVH app. They are scheduled to run on weekdays from 6 AM to 1 AM and on weekends from 8 AM to 4 AM. The Hannover region aims to get the new project funded by the EU for the first two years. For the following years, they seek funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport. The project is intended to be expanded to eleven municipalities.