The meeting opened with a focus on organisational and coordination matters, setting the foundation for transnational cooperation throughout the project. In this context, Ms. Šrámková from the Joint Secretariat joined the meeting online, providing valuable input and guidance on procedural aspects and answering questions from the partners.
Following the organisational session, discussions turned to the first project milestone: the development of regional fact sheets. These fact sheets aim to systematically capture and describe the existing structures of regional public mobility services in each partner region.
The programme continued with a technical and practice-oriented presentation by experts from vci GmbH. They presented a previously implemented regional model project on demand-oriented bus stop planning, explaining the underlying concept, data requirements, and practical outcomes in detail. The session engaged participants in questions and exchanges on transferability, challenges, and potential benefits for their own regions.
In the afternoon, the meeting shifted from theory to practice with a guided regional tour. During a car-based excursion through the surrounding rural areas, participants were able to experience first-hand the mobility challenges typical of rural regions, such as limited service availability, low population density and geographical conditions. At the same time, the tour offered the opportunity to visit well-known local landmarks, like Mildenstein Castle or Kriebstein dam, and gain a deeper understanding of the regional context of the German project partners.
The event concluded in a relaxed atmosphere with a rustic dinner at a local restaurant, providing space for informal exchanges and strengthening cooperation among partners.