A large majority of Murnau residents want to keep the previous Omobi local bus, which has received several awards as an innovative mobility solution. This is the result of a referendum in the Upper Bavarian market town in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. According to city hall information, 3,163 citizens voted for the “Save the Call Bus” petition on Sunday, while 587 spoke out against it.
With this referendum, after months of deadlock, it is clear how local transport in the 12,000-inhabitant community should continue. Since the beginning of July there has been no public transport in Murnau at all because a majority in the municipal council refused to extend the contract with Omobi in a long-term dispute with Mayor Rolf Beuting (ÖDP) and his citizens’ forum group. Its on-demand system, introduced three years ago, was considered trend-setting for mobility solutions in rural areas. The state government is currently trying to establish similar models elsewhere with additional funding.
The Omobi minibuses only drive on specific request by phone or mobile app, the individual travel requests are bundled into joint trips as far as possible. The fare of 2.50 euros is far from covering costs, which was met with great criticism in the municipal council. However, scheduled buses, which often drive empty across the country, cause much higher costs for the general public when calculated down to individual journeys and passengers.
It is unclear when the Omobi buses in Murnau will start driving again. According to the same information from the town hall and from Omobi co-founder Clemens Deyerling before the referendum, the contract can be extended immediately. However, it will take at least a few weeks before all the formalities are completed and a new license is granted.
In a second referendum on Sunday, the people of Murnau also voted in favor of the so-called “Blue Country Bus” – an on-demand solution that the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district wants to establish in a larger area around Murnau by 2025.