Rastatt's bus trial cuts car commutes by half in industrial zone

Fewer cars, more buses: A simple trial transformed how workers commute. Could this model reshape urban mobility for good?

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2026 March 12 . 9:01 AM

1 min read

The image shows a blue and white shuttle bus driving down a street lined with tall buildings. On... — The image shows a blue and white shuttle bus driving down a street lined with tall buildings. On the left side of the street, there is a sidewalk with a few people walking on it. In the background, there are trees, poles, and a clear blue sky.

Rastatt's bus trial cuts car commutes by half in industrial zone

A real-world mobility project in Rastatt's eastern industrial zone has shown early success in shifting workers from cars to buses. Between November 2022 and February 2023, the trial led to fewer car journeys and higher bus usage among local employees. The scheme has now entered a second phase, running until the end of June with expanded services.

The project focused on encouraging employees to use public transport instead of driving. Over 20 workers from three companies took part, receiving a Deutschlandticket Job and a customised bus timetable. Changes included a new bus stop and six redesigned routes to better serve the industrial area.

Researchers from Karlsruhe and Offenburg Universities of Applied Sciences studied user feedback during the initial phase. Their findings revealed that, in some weeks, car commuting dropped by half while bus ridership rose. The success has prompted organisers to extend the trial with improved services. A timetable adjustment is planned for this summer, with details to be announced in advance. However, no public data exists on how many additional companies or employees outside the pilot have adopted the new bus connections since its launch.

The extended trial will continue testing ways to reduce car dependency in Rastatt's industrial zone. Further timetable changes are set for summer, building on the project's initial results. Organisers aim to make public transport a more practical option for local workers.