Multimodally networked: HSG project tests linking public transport with e-bikes and e-scooters

In recent years, e-scooters and e-bikes have conquered Swiss cities. They have since expanded the possibilities of public transport to include environmentally friendly alternatives to private cars. “When used correctly, shared micromobility offers a very interesting solution for the 'first and last mile',” explains Dr. Philipp Scharfenberger, Vice Director at the Institute for Mobility (IMO-HSG). “It makes it easy to get to and from public transport stops.” 

Combined ticket offers: public transport & micromobility 

Reaching destinations outside the city center and away from main commuter routes as well as journeys between districts are often inconvenient. This is where micromobility comes in as a feeder service for public transport: It makes it possible to connect neighbourhoods that do not have a bus stop nearby or a direct line in the desired direction. In this way, detours or long waiting times can be avoided without having to take your own car.

Together with the tariff association OSTWIND and TIER, the researchers at the HSG Institute are testing heavily discounted bundle packages for subscription customers and individual journeys, which are intended to create incentives for the sensible integration of micromobility into everyday mobility behaviour.

Manuel Herzog, Public Policy Manager Switzerland at TIER Mobility, adds: “The successful 2022 pilot with the OSTWIND fare network has shown us how important it is to dovetail micromobility and public transport. Thanks to the study by the Institute for Mobility, we can now explore this topic in greater depth. TIER Mobility is convinced that this integration will be important far beyond the eastern Swiss market.”

The OSTWIND web shop offers the following in combination with an OSTWIND travelcard or GA travelcard:

• Flat rate for unlimited journeys on e-scooters and e-bikes for CHF 35 per month
• 50 minutes of travel credit and free activation for CHF 10 per month
• Micromobility “Half-Fare Card” with a 50% discount on the TIER minute price and free activation for CHF 7 per month

The “Öv Plus” app is offered in combination with an OSTWIND one-way ticket: 

• a voucher for a single journey on an e-scooter or e-bike lasting a maximum of 12 minutes for an additional CHF 2.70

“We are the first study to test these various heavily discounted public transport and micromobility packages,” says Matthias Brüning, PhD student at IMO-HSG. “Accordingly, we hope that our research results will also become significant beyond the region and contribute to the efficient design of urban mobility in the future.”

The pilot phase will now run until mid-November 2024, with project results expected at the end of the year. A decision will then be made as to how OSTWIND and TIER will continue the service in the long term.

Further “sharing zones” measure in planning 

In addition to the bundle packages, a further central measure for the integration of shared micromobility and public transport is to be tested together with the partners SBB, AGGLO St.Gallen – Lake Constance and the City of St.Gallen: The establishment of micromobility hubs, so-called “sharing zones”. The aim is to improve access to micromobility in the city of St.Gallen and at smaller SBB stations in Eastern Switzerland such as Mörschwil, Arnegg and Goldach. The sharing zones should not only contribute to better availability of shared micromobility, but also create order in the cityscape.

All combined offers: tier.ostwind.ch
Further information on the project: imo.unisg.ch/de/multimodal-vernetzt/