KORID LK's Response to an Article on the zdopravy.cz Website Regarding the TvůjBus Service

KORID LK is responding here to an article published on October 16 by the transportation website zdopravy.cz regarding the TvůjBus service. (here: https://zdopravy.cz/388-korun-za-jednoho-cestujiciho-liberecky-kraj-odtajnil-kolik-plati-za-provoz-dodavky-na-zavolani-224219/) and sets the record straight regarding some misleading information. In it, the author takes a biased approach to disparaging the so-called “on-demand transportation” service on the Jindříchovice pod Smrkem–Nové Město pod Smrkem route, based solely on the financial results of the service’s pilot operation during its first month.

We can infer this biased approach from the comparison with the PID Haló service and its operation in the Český Brod area; however, the article completely overlooks the fact that the PID Haló service is not a comparable type of on-demand transportation to the TvůjBus service. At present, it could be more accurately compared to the so-called “Radiobus” service, which the Liberec Region has been operating since 2012. In this comparison, the author does not even mention the cost of developing the PID Haló service (in the millions of CZK). However, the purpose of this clarification is not to divert attention elsewhere. We believe that our colleagues in the Central Bohemian Region are also well aware of what they are implementing, why they are doing so, and what their objectives are.

The article correctly states that the cost of the TvůjBus service is 8,640 CZK per operating day plus 35,000 CZK for services provided by the subcontractor, CITYA mobility, which possesses the necessary know-how in the field of on-demand transportation and is a partner of the Liberec Region in this project. It is true that when simply comparing costs and the number of passengers (557 in September), it may seem at first glance to the layperson that the service is not efficient. Therefore, it is necessary to address certain questions in more detail.

What is on-demand transportation, and what is the pilot project intended to achieve?

On-demand transportation will enable passengers in the future to use public transportation that is not strictly tied to a fixed route or schedule. It is, therefore, a service that adapts flexibly to passengers’ transportation needs. Whether or not this approach will be effective in the future, and whether it will primarily complement “traditional” public transportation or partially replace it, is too early to say at this point. The goal of the Liberec Region’s pilot project is to test this technology against passengers’ actual transportation needs and to gather sufficient insights—including from an organizational and operational perspective—so that a responsible decision can be made regarding whether and where the service will be expanded further. The system can be truly effective and cost-efficient in areas where it replaces existing or planned public transportation with higher operating costs. This service may also be of interest in areas as a supplement to existing transportation (evening and nighttime “shuttle” services or so-called “small-scale public transit” in smaller towns).

Why was the Jindřichovice pod Smrkem–Nové Město pod Smrkem route selected?

Several locations were identified in collaboration between CITYA and the public transportation coordinator, KORID LK. We are aware that the primary travel direction from Jindřichovice pod Smrkem is to/from Frýdlant, and this route is served by a bus line. In contrast, travel to/from Nové Město has stagnated or declined in recent years. However, based on discussions with municipalities in the area and their initiatives, it is expected that this negative trend will halt or even reverse. There is already demand from residents for this connection, though providing it via traditional public transportation might be inefficient. The first argument, therefore, is that there was interest in such a service among the municipalities in the area.

Furthermore, it should be noted that during the pilot phase, the optimization of traditional public transportation in the region did not occur immediately upon the service’s launch. This step is planned for once the operation of the TvůjBus service stabilizes and becomes an integral part of the integrated transportation system. We anticipate that following optimization (phased implementation in 2025 and 2026), the region will see savings in operating costs while simultaneously offering a significantly greater number of connections for local residents, which can be viewed as the second key argument.

Development of Flexible Public Transportation

The Liberec Region is preparing a project for the potential development of operational public transportation, which will include an economic assessment and recommendations on where and in what sequence to further develop the service. However, as part of this development, in addition to comparing costs with current operating expenses, it will be necessary to take into account future developments in technology and environmental standards, as well as their impact on transportation costs in the future. If costs were compared today using a simple, layman’s comparison, one might get the impression that the TvůjBus service falls between the operating costs of a large bus and a train. However, one might ask whether this will still be the case with the expected introduction of zero-emission transportation. The most expensive component of the TvůjBus service is staffing. The cost of the vehicle itself is minimal. However, this will not be the case for future zero-emission buses and trains.

That is why the Liberec Region is preparing this project, the goal of which is not to achieve quick savings but to explore options for the future development of public transportation.

We are therefore pleased that the service has received a positive response from both municipalities and passengers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their support.

KORID LK

You can also find this response on the Liberec Region’s website here.