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SMILE24: Public transport revolution on the Schlei and Baltic Sea brings 60% more passengers!
Schleswig-Holstein has recorded a 60% increase in public transport passengers thanks to the SMILE24 project. Continuation planned for 2026.
SMILE24: Public transport revolution on the Schlei and Baltic Sea brings 60% more passengers!
With the new SMILE24 project on the Schlei and Baltic Sea, a truly successful model has been established in local public transport. Thanks to well-thought-out mobility concepts, an impressive increase in passenger numbers of around 60% was recorded - proof that the region can catch up significantly when it comes to environmentally friendly mobility. The positive development is no coincidence, because how close.sh reported, the project will also enter an adapted continuation phase in 2026.
More and more people are using the buses, which now run between regional centers every hour. The NAHSHUTTLE has adjusted its operating times, making it easier to distribute passengers to rural areas. The offer will also be of interest to tourists who are interested in seasonal routes or special offers for school transport. In addition, the bike sharing system will continue to exist in several places such as Schleswig, Eckernförde and the surrounding area in order to create connection options.
Sustainable mobility in focus
A central goal of the SMILE24 project is to attract new users and reduce CO2 emissions through the use of electric drives. In this context, the Federal Ministry of Transport also supports the project to strengthen public transport funding program aims to create an attractive local public transport offering. A total of around 30 million euros from the federal government and 7 million euros from the coffers of the state of Schleswig-Holstein will flow into the further development of sustainable mobility solutions.
The state and the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde and Schleswig-Flensburg have therefore already decided to continue successful parts of SMILE24 even after the end of the current funding period. This not only includes bus connections, but also the creation of modern mobility stations that are barrier-free and flexible. Two of these mobility stations have already been implemented in Twedt and Vogelsang-Grünholz.
Award-winning model
The SMILE24 project has caused a stir in the industry and has already been honored with several prestigious awards, including the German Tourism Prize 2024 and the Mobility Prize 2024. It is clear that the combination of sustainable mobility and regional connectivity brings many benefits for the local community. The operators agree that the introduction of flexible on-demand transport is also necessary to further improve mobility for various needs.
With regard to a future-oriented mobility offer in the region, SMILE24 is a prime example that shows what is possible when cities and districts come together to develop innovative mobility solutions.