Future of public transport: Research results for the Lake Constance region!

Future of public transport: Research results for the Lake Constance region!

The challenges and future prospects of public transport in the Lake Constance region are the focus of a current project initiated by the University of Konstanz and the University of St. Gallen. While the region, which extends across four countries, is confronted with different standards and regulations, the transfer project “ÖV_Connect_Bodensee” is investigating how public transport (ÖV) can be made efficient.

On April 8, 2025, a public event entitled “Connections for the Future – Status Quo and Prospects for Public Transport in the Lake Constance Region” will take place in the Wolkensteinsaal of the Konstanz Cultural Center at the Münster. This event, hosted by the University of Konstanz is organized, aims to present the interim results of the research results. Entry is free.

Gently into the future of mobility

Dr. Daniel Herfurth, political scientist and project manager for the events, emphasizes the importance of sustainable mobility in this economically strong region. It is not only characterized by a challenging topography, but also predominantly rural. Therefore, owning a car is often perceived as having no alternative for personal mobility.

The aim of the project is to make public transport suitable for everyday use across the board and to establish it as a real alternative to private transport. The multidisciplinary approach, which combines technical, economic and political science perspectives, aims to identify best practices and make differences in quality in public transport visible. This approach is supported by interdisciplinary educational formats that are intended to prepare the university landscape for the mobility of the future.

Dialogue and collaboration as key

This initiative aims to not only arouse public interest, but also to promote dialogue with practitioners in order to achieve sustainable improvements in public transport. Workshop formats and impact reviews are intended to consolidate the results beyond the project duration. The invited experts include Jörg Bruchertseifer from the PRO BAHN passenger association and Peter Füglistaler from Public Transport Solutions.

The event will address various topics, including the current organization and management of public transport, improving accessibility and infrastructure issues. Dr. Herfurth is available for further information: those interested can find it at oev-connect@uni-konstanz.de contact.

This event is an important opportunity for everyone who is interested in future mobility in the Lake Constance region. Partnerships with institutions such as the Sustainable Mobility Lab and Heimat Bärenweiler underline the interdisciplinary approach of the project, while raising awareness of the new “Political Engineering” course profile is intended to help combine technical and administrative-political perspectives.

For more information, visit the project website at ÖV_Connect_Bodensee.