Düsseldorf spearheads transit shift through shared stations implementation
Düsseldorf to Install Hundreds of Sharing Stations by 2030
Düsseldorf is planning to establish hundreds of shared transportation stations by the year 2030, Katharina Metzker, head of the Office for Traffic Management, announced on Monday. The unveiling of the 100th station for bicycles, scooters, and mopeds took place next to the Schauspielhaus, though the exact number of stations wasn't specified. Metzker did mention, however, that the next 18 stations will be set up in Pempelfort.
A map provides an overview of the current locations of Düsseldorf's sharing stations, courtesy of Connected Mobility Düsseldorf. Jochen Kral, Traffic Commissioner, anticipates further expansion beyond these locations in upcoming months and years. Presently, the existing stations are primarily situated in the city center, the old town, and Carlstadt. Kral has noted that the stations are placed at strategically important locations such as district centers, bus stops, and hospitals. The rise in the number of users of shared transportation options has paralleled the increase in the number of stations, with a 10 percent increase within a year reported.
Complaints regarding illegally parked bicycles have shown a decrease, according to Kral. The stations help maintain order and prevent improper parking since rental bicycles must be parked at designated locations, as clocking continues if they are left elsewhere, thus incurring costs. The city manages and records the data related to parking through the municipal company Connected Mobility Düsseldorf GmbH (CMD).
CMD also is responsible for setting up the stations as basic white marking and signs aren't enough to digitally connect each location. Approximately 2,000 euros are spent on setting up a new station. The city collects license fees from rental companies offering bicycles, scooters, and mopeds, varying between 10 and 50 euros per year depending on the vehicle type. Bicycles, reportedly, are favored due to their more cautious drivers. Currently, approximately 12,000 shared vehicles, including bicycles, scooters, and mopeds, are available throughout the city.
In addition to the sharing stations, Düsseldorf plans to set up mobility stations, which offer not just shared bicycles, scooters, and mopeds, but also car-sharing vehicles. The city aims to install 18 such stations between 2024 and 2026 in Pempelfort, Derendorf, and Golzheim. The city already has eight mobility stations in Bilk and Oberbilk.
Citizens in Pempelfort, Derendorf, and Golzheim can learn more about the project and submit their suggestions through a survey running until Wednesday. Find additional information here.
While specific details about the number and locations of stations past 2030 were not disclosed, Düsseldorf intends to continue expanding its shared transportation infrastructure.
In the plan for Düsseldorf's future, mobility stations, offering a mix of shared bicycles, scooters, mopeds, and cars, will be added by installing 18 such stations in Pempelfort, Derendorf, and Golzheim between 2024 and 2026. Beyond 2030, the city anticipates further expansion in the industry of shared transportation, aiming to continue improving the city's finance by collecting license fees and fostering a sustainable lifestyle in home-and-garden sectors. The growth of shared transportation options is expected to support existing stations in various locations, such as district centers, bus stops, and hospitals, making a positive impact on the transportation landscape of Düsseldorf.
