Local transport in the Gifhorn district: traffic jams at lakes despite survey wishes!

Local transport in the Gifhorn district: traffic jams at lakes despite survey wishes!

It is hot in northern Germany, and the lakes Tankumsee and Bernsteinsee are visited by many people to escape the heat. But the bus connection to these popular excursion destinations couldn't be better. In the Gifhorn district, visitors repeatedly notice that there is a lack of practical public transport connections. While traffic jams often arise on sunny days, especially during special events at Lake Tankum, local transport falls short of citizens' expectations. A current survey on the AZ Mobility Compass shows that 75.1% of participants demand improved local transport options. The desire for free local transport, which 52.7% of those surveyed support, is particularly important. The message could hardly be clearer: Many people would like to have better access to recreational areas via public transport.

There is currently only a connection to Lake Tankum via a call-only taxi, which runs every 60 minutes on weekends and during holidays, but must be ordered at least an hour in advance. This is rather impractical for spontaneous trips. Things look different at Amber Lake; this is connected to bus route 172, which runs regularly on weekdays. On the weekends, the connection takes excursionists there every two hours. However, for many visitors, both lakes are more easily accessible by car or bicycle, which supports the district's opinion on the current local transport situation. The Gifhorn district itself sees no need for improvements in the bus service because, in its opinion, the lakes are already easily accessible by public transport.

Accessibility and cost factor

A ray of hope at Tankumsee: After the summer holidays, the “Tankumsee Seehotel” stop will be converted to be barrier-free for around 30,000 euros. This conversion is supported by the state local transport company and the regional association. But despite such measures, demand for bus services remains heavily dependent on the weather. Many potential passengers are not willing to use the bus because they make their way to the lake from their hometown in their own vehicle. A look at the current trends in local public transport shows that usage in Germany in 2023 will still be below the values ​​of 2019, which should be taken into account when looking for solutions for the Gifhorn district. The Deutschlandticket, which was introduced in May 2023, offers cheap access to buses and trains, but whether people are willing to change their habits and switch to public transport remains to be seen.

The district is financially burdened by challenges, which makes permanent bus connections to Lake Tankum difficult. Despite the positive developments that public transport promises with modern offerings, the lack of funding means that the implementation of improvements often remains on hold.

The citizens' perspective

So what is the solution? The citizens' advisory board and the citizens' initiative at Tankumsee see a great need for action here. Residents and visitors know that efficient local transport not only helps relieve congestion on the roads, but also creates more environmentally friendly options for everyone. An increased number of buses could meet the majority's desire for modern public transport. The question remains whether those responsible in the Gifhorn district will be able to take action here. After all, residents aren't asking for much: just a little more flexibility and a few more ways to get to recreational areas. There is definitely still room for improvement to enjoy the summer while keeping traffic to a minimum.

In summary, the Tankumsee and the Bernsteinsee are highly sought after, but without better connections it will be difficult to really enjoy the diversity of nature in the region. The future of local transport must now urgently come into focus.

You can find more information on the topic at WAZ Online, or on the website of Tankumsees. For statistics and further information on public transport, visit Statista page.