Deutsche Post and Europe’s largest automobile club ADAC announced plans today to launchlong-distance coach services in Germany in the future liberalised market and compete with other
private coach operators as well as Deutsche Bahn’s train services.From 1 January 2013, the market for long-distance passenger transportation by coach will befully liberalised to allow private operators to offer routes between German cities. Several smallstart-ups have already announced plans to launch limited services next year. Until now,long-distance coach services were only permitted on routes not served by Deutsche Bahn trainservices under a long-standing law designed to protect public train services.
Deutsche Post said today it has been reviewing the possibility to expand into this area and isworking with the ADAC on a concept for a future nationwide long-distance coach network. If the plangoes ahead, the services would be launched in 2014.
With their existing branch and office network all over Germany, Deutsche Post and ADAC said theyalready have an excellent infrastructure for a new rapid and high-quality bus network.
Jurgen Gerdes, head of Deutsche Post DHL’s mail and parcel division, stressed: “It is time foran economical, safe and comfortable transportation alternative. Like no other company in Germany,Deutsche Post stands for nationwide presence and reliability. We also bring our know-how intransportation and fleet management. This is an extremely strong base for being successful in thelong-distance coach market. We are all the more pleased to be partnering with ADAC – a Germaninstitution that brings prestige and tremendous experience in the area of mobility.”
ADAC board chairman Dr. Karl Obermair sees the liberalisation of the German long-distance busmarket as one of the most important developments in German transportation infrastructure in recentyears. He said that an attractive long-distance bus network would offer consumers new andespecially cost-effective alternatives to cars, trains and airplanes.
The German Federal Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer commented on the liberalisation move: “Theway will be cleared soon for long-distance buses. We are freeing the market from its chains whichit has been wearing for decades. This way, people can travel by bus across Germany cost-efficientlyand eco-friendly. This saves money and the environment.”
Several other European postal operators such as Austrian Post, Swiss Post and Royal Mail alreadyrun passenger transport services, although these tend to be local or regional ‘postbus’ services inrural or remote areas.
