New low-floor buses launch: Better mobility for everyone!

New low-floor buses launch: Better mobility for everyone!

In 2026 we are starting with a welcome innovation for local public transport: At the beginning of the year, three modern low-floor vehicles will be put into operation on state bus route 160, which runs from Göttingen via Ebergötzen to Duderstadt. These new buses replace the previous models and not only bring a significant improvement in passenger comfort, but also set new standards in accessibility. How myregion365.de reports, the vehicles meet modern environmental, comfort and safety standards, making them the ideal choice for future-oriented mobility.

Funding for this new vehicle fleet comes from the state of Lower Saxony, which is providing EUR 92,000 per bus. The unit price of the vehicles is EUR 282,500. “An excellent business for the region,” says Doreen Fragel, chairwoman of the ZVSN association meeting. The new buses not only offer more space, but are also a significant step towards creating more efficient and inclusive public transport in Lower Saxony, as Daniel Göbeke from the LNVG emphasizes.

Accessibility in focus

The new vehicles are designed to meet the needs of all passengers. In particular, the enlarged multi-purpose area for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility was highlighted as a decisive step forward by Marco Schnieder from BarriereScouts Göttingen. “This step is important for the participation of people with disabilities,” says Schnieder. The constant pursuit of accessibility in public transport is not only a legal obligation, as stipulated by the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG), but also a real quality feature that improves the quality of life of all users.

Mobility is a fundamental need and crucial for social participation. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires that access to transport be guaranteed in order to enable equal participation. In a modern society, it is essential that mobility offers are accessible to everyone, including the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure emphasized. People with disabilities in particular often have difficulties in public transport, be it due to insufficient accessibility to vehicles or stops.

A look into the future

The introduction of the new buses sends an important signal: we are not just thinking about the present, but also about the future. The goal of creating barrier-free and comfortable local transport that meets the needs of all citizens is now within reach. “We really have the opportunity here to sustainably improve mobility in our region,” explains Rainer Rosenthal, Managing Director of Scheithauer-Reisen. The positive experiences of Jonas Morgenroth, chairman of the Self-Help for the Physically Disabled Göttingen e.V., confirm this approach and show that the new buses already offer many advantages in everyday life.

In summary, the new bus fleet not only sets technical standards, but also sets an example for inclusion and social responsibility. Ultimately, everyone benefits from barrier-free public transport that meets the needs of an increasingly diverse society. The changes brought about by the Accessibility Strengthening Act (BFSG) will help to further improve mobility and create a better quality of life for everyone in the long term.