About the project

MUTABLE focuses on three regions that face similar mobility constraints: the District of Central Saxony in Germany, the Tolna Region in Hungary, and the Goričko area in Slovenia. Instead of expanding transport networks relying on costly new infrastructure, the project aims to optimise the performance of existing public transport.

A key innovation of the project is the introduction of mobility managers within partner organisations. These new roles act as coordinators who analyse current mobility supply structures, identify unused capacities and bottlenecks, involve citizens in shaping mobility solutions, and work closely with public transport providers. The aim is to help align services with real needs.

Building on the evidence found and stakeholder input, a Pilot Demonstration Site is established in each participating region to implement these concepts in practice. There, the mobility managers collaborate with local public transport service providers who are responsible for delivering services to demonstrate different aspects of demand-responsive mobility. Testing the mobility management approach in real‑life conditions allows the project to collect user feedback, assess operational feasibility and generate insights into how mobility management can improve efficiency, flexibility and public acceptance.

MUTABLE’s transnational approach is central to its impact. By pooling knowledge from regions with similar demographic and territorial challenges, partners jointly develop methods and tools, exchange knowledge on implementation challenges, and co-create a transferable solution. It defines the role and responsibilities of regional mobility managers and offers practical recommendations for improving rural public transport in a sustainable and transferable way. The process also identifies challenges that emerged during the implementation phase and documents how they were addressed.

Through its pilot demonstration sites and participatory processes, the project will deliver a practical, transferable framework for mobility management in rural and peripheral areas. Public authorities, transport providers, regional organisations and citizens all contribute to the development and testing of solutions, ensuring that results can be integrated into future transport planning, service contracts and mobility strategies. Recommendations derived from transnational evaluation will support future transport planning, improve coordination among stakeholders, and strengthen long‑term political commitment to needs-based public transport.

Project partnership

Roadmap