In the heart of Europe, where national borders crisscross landscapes and communities, public transport doesn’t stop—it connects. And thanks to the work done in the first project phase of TRANS-BORDERS+, these connections are about to get a whole lot better.
Since June 2024, the partners of TRANS-BORDERS+ – spanning five countries and two cross-border regions – have been digging deep. Not into the ground, but into the infrastructure that moves people across borders every day: bus stops. These seemingly simple places are, in fact, the cornerstones of cross-border mobility. They are where journeys begin and end, and where accessibility, sustainability, and integration are either made real – or fail.
Now, as the project reaches its first major milestone (M1), the picture is clearer than ever.
Across 46 selected stops in Germany, Czechia, Austria, Slovenia, and Poland, the TRANS-BORDERS+ team evaluated what works, what’s missing, and where investment is most needed. The result is not just a list of rankings, but a roadmap for change.
What they found was both sobering and inspiring.
In places like Zittau (Germany) and Slovenj Gradec (Slovenia), good infrastructure already exists – stops are accessible, connected to rail, and used regularly. These places are ready to become true mobility hubs, seamlessly linking buses, trains, bicycles, and digital services.
But many others, especially in rural or peripheral areas like Neißeaue (DE) or Mařenice (CZ), tell a different story: no shelters, no real-time information, no consideration for accessibility or sustainability. Here, stepping onto a bus can mean stepping into the past.
Beyond the physical conditions, the project team also looked at the legal and technical frameworks behind public transport infrastructure. They found that national standards differ widely – what counts as “accessible” in Germany may not meet the rules in Slovenia or Czechia. Funding responsibilities shift from one authority to another, and technical specifications – such as curb height or shelter design – don’t align.
And yet, this diversity isn’t just a challenge. It’s an opportunity.
By comparing systems and bringing experts together, TRANS-BORDERS+ is now better positioned to recommend harmonized approaches that make cross-border travel smoother, safer, and more user-friendly. A shared vision for modern, multimodal, and inclusive stops is emerging – rooted in real-world analysis, not guesswork.
With this milestone reached, the project turns toward the future. The next phase includes the development of a practical “toolbox” for municipalities and planners to upgrade stops in a smart, sustainable, and user-centred way. Pilot actions in both core regions Saxony – Liberec and Carinthia – Koroška – Friuli – will test these ideas.
Because borders shouldn’t be barriers. They should be places of connection.
TRANS-BORDERS+ is making that possible – one bus stop at a time.