Testing the SMILE24 public transport model of the future

The innovative SMILE24 public transport model, which has been in operation in the Schlei region of Schleswig-Holstein since 29 March 2024, was tested by EurA on various criteria during a test run. It is the most comprehensive local transport service in rural areas in Germany to date. EurA is involved in the project management as sub-project manager (subcontractor of the Schleswig-Flensburg and Rensburg-Eckernförde districts) and successfully applied for the necessary funding from the BMDV (Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs) totalling 30 million euros. If the pilot project proves successful, it can serve as a blueprint for the organisation of sustainable transport in other regions of Germany.

What does SMILE24 offer its customers?

The name SMILE24 stands for Schlei mobility: innovative, rural, emission-free and 24/7. It is aimed at anyone who wants to get to their destination without their own car in a stress-free, affordable and environmentally friendly way. The public transport model is based on different types of vehicles and modes of transport: a revised bus service with additional express and tourist bus routes, shuttles as a supplement to the bus as well as bike and car sharing (source: Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein, NAH.SH). The services can be used individually or in combination. The result is a seamless transport network.

The Schlei region on the Baltic Sea

Which tour was taken?

The test tour started in Schleswig, Schleswig-Holstein, after travelling by train. The NAH.SH public bus travelled on via Kappeln to Arnis. There, the test participants were picked up by the NAH.SHUTTLE and transported to Geltinger Birk, a nature reserve. A short excursion with the bikes of the bike-sharing operator 'Donkey Republic' was undertaken, after which the NAH.SHUTTLE collected the passengers again and took them to Massholm at the estuary of the Schlei. The last stage was by car sharing with a Cupra Born to Eckernförde.

The vehicles purchased as part of the SMILE24 mobility project are all brand new and CO₂-neutral.

Which criteria were tested?

One of the aspects analysed was accessibility and driving comfort. The test drivers were able to see for themselves that all vehicles in the SMILE24 project are barrier-free and that some of them are suitable for transporting wheelchair users. The seats are comfortable, ergonomic and hygienic. There are charging points for mobile phones at some seats in the quiet buses. The timetable is timed according to the demand for mobility; in addition to regular services, express buses and tourist buses are used during holiday periods. Around 1.5 million tourists spend their holidays in the Schlei and Baltic Sea region every year and should be motivated to leave their cars behind and switch to local transport. At the transport hubs, the test drivers had good connections between the different modes of transport to reach their destination comfortably and on time. Punctuality to the minute was even maintained by the shuttle service, something that was not expected in rural areas.

Unlike taxis, the call shuttles drive to virtual, fixed stops. During the journey, the AI-controlled booking system (Ridepooling with new Intelligent Routing Algorithm) allocates new bookings to the vehicles' routes in order to bundle journeys and optimise routes. Full marks were also awarded for environmental friendliness. All vehicles are new and run on electricity with zero emissions. The NAH.SH buses, the OnDemand shuttles and the sharing providers for bicycles and e-cars integrated into the mobility concept all offer digital access as an app for advance bookings. The plan for the future is to make all services bookable in one app. The last relevant criterion is the costs that arise when different modes of transport are combined. Good news here too: Train, bus, and shuttle can be used with the Deutschlandticket. The sharing services offer tariffs that are tailored to user behaviour and can also be used on a small budget.

The SMILE24 concept has been well received, with around 4,000 shuttle bookings and around 500 bike sharing rentals per week in the summer months (source: NAH.SH). 

Have we piqued your interest? Please feel free to contact us: Our expert Ralph Hirschberg is available to you on the subject of mobility of the future.

Text: Britta Rückriem

Headerbild: NAH.SH