On-demand transportation has found its place in the Liberec Region. It will replace both buses and trains between Nové Město and Jindřichovice
3. 7. 2025
Press Release
On-demand transportation under the TvůjBus brand will continue to operate between Nové Město pod Smrkem and Jindřichovice pod Smrkem starting in September of this year. It will largely replace the current bus and train services. Representatives of the municipalities and the region have agreed on this.
In June, an evaluation was conducted of the pilot operation period for the on-demand transportation service, which has been operating in the area since September 2024. A minibus with a capacity of up to 8 passengers provides transportation on weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. to Jindřichovice pod Smrkem, Nové Město pod Smrkem, Horní Řasnice, and, to a limited extent, Dolní Řasnice, based on actual transportation needs. For the period from September 2024 to June 2025, the system recorded 4,537 passengers transported. “The pilot operation has demonstrated that on-demand transportation can function as part of standard public transit services. We expect that after integration with the standard system, the number of passengers transported will increase even further,” says Jan Sviták, deputy governor in charge of the transportation department.
So far, the TvůjBus service has been operating in parallel with trains or buses. “First, legislation has only allowed for full integration into the integrated transportation system starting this July. At the same time, we wanted to test the service in real-world conditions first, but not at the expense of existing transportation needs,” explains Otto Pospíšil, CEO of KORID LK.
So what will change?
Starting in September, TvůjBus will be a full-fledged part of IDOL. Passengers will purchase tickets via the Idolka mobile app or on board from the driver. Bookings will still be possible via the TvůjBus mobile app or by phone through the IDOL Central Dispatch Center. (Work is currently underway to integrate the TvůjBus and Idolka apps.) At the same time, TvůjBus will take over route number 672, which currently provides service between Jindřichovice and Nové Město.
Starting in December, TvůjBus will fully take over service between Nové Město and Jindřichovice. As part of so-called “semi-fixed” service, the minibus will transport children to the elementary school in Nové Město pod Smrkem. It will operate on an on-demand basis from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. “We are considering partially fixing the departure times in the afternoon to prevent a situation where children cannot get home after school,” explains Pospíšil.
The existing bus services on Line 672 will be replaced by on-demand transportation. The exception is the evening departures at 7:39 p.m. and 9:39 p.m., which will remain unchanged.
Train line L61 will operate between Nové Město and Jindřichovice only on weekends. On weekdays, service on this section will be fully replaced by the TvůjBus service.
“This is a rational decision from both an operational and economic standpoint. Instead of three pairs of trains, we are offering a comprehensive, on-demand service over a 12-hour period that better adapts to passengers’ transportation needs,” adds Sviták. The annual pilot operation of on-demand transportation costs approximately 2.5 million Czech crowns. Similar costs can be expected in the future. With the planned replacement of traditional train services, savings can be achieved, but above all, the region’s transportation budget will be used more efficiently.
“On behalf of our municipality, we particularly appreciate the flexibility and the expanded options for travel to and from Nové Město, which isn’t very frequent via traditional routes, and expanding those routes would likely not be cost-effective,” says Martin Vondráček, mayor of Jindřichovice pod Smrkem.
To meet transportation needs to Frýdlant, routes L61 (train) and 670 (bus) will continue to operate. The goal of demand-responsive transportation is to appropriately supplement existing service.
KORID LK, in cooperation with CITYA, is reviewing and preparing models for other regions of the district. A decision on when and where on-demand transportation will be further implemented will likely be made in September.
More information is available at www.iidol.cz.