On-demand solutions are mobility services in which Postbuses arrive when ordered by passengers. Collection can be arranged based on a timetable or specific stop or as a door-to-door service. On-demand solutions for the first and last mile, in sparsely populated areas and during off-peak hours are promising. Passengers specify their required journey via app or telephone. An algorithm calculates the optimum route to transport passengers to their destination. The system also compares incoming orders and attempts to merge customer journeys based on time and location. By pooling trips, PostBus can meet individual mobility requirements while also providing a more environmentally-friendly service, as unnecessary additional journeys are avoided.

Before the introduction of app-based reservation options, journeys were booked exclusively by telephone, which is why the term “dial-a-ride” became well established. “On-demand” is now the term recognized across the whole sector, and it covers all public transport services that can be ordered ad hoc via app or over the phone when the need arises. Ad hoc services are therefore comparable to dial-a-ride buses and on-demand services. Their most important distinguishing feature is that vehicles and drivers are geared flexibly to customer needs and travel only when a journey has been requested.

With conventional scheduled services, Postbuses follow a fixed timetable in order to transport a large number of passengers simultaneously. During rush hours in particular, scheduled services are a proven and practical mobility solution for transporting as many passengers as possible to their destinations. With on-demand transport, passengers order Postbuses via app or telephone, and the buses travel only when ordered. During off-peak hours, in sparsely populated areas or in mountain regions with fewer public transport connections, this solution is a useful supplement to scheduled services.

There are various types of on-demand transport. The most common are:

• On-demand scheduled services: this type of on-demand service is most similar to conventional scheduled services. Postbuses follow a fixed sequence of stops and a fixed timetable. However, passengers must reserve their journeys, and the buses travel only if a request has been registered in advance.
• “Sequential” corridor transport: with this type of on-demand service, Postbuses follow a fixed sequence of stops or stopping points and a fixed timetable. A stopping point is a “virtual stop”: these are stops that can only be seen on the app. Passengers must reserve their journeys, and the buses travel only if a request has been registered in advance.
• “Selective” corridor transport: with this type of service, Postbuses have a fixed direction of travel but no fixed sequence of stops and stopping points (virtual stops). Passengers must reserve their journeys, and the buses travel only if a request has been registered in advance.
• Area transport: this is the on-demand method that differs most from conventional scheduled services: Postbuses do not follow a fixed direction of travel or any specific sequence of stops or stopping points. Passengers must reserve their journeys, and the buses travel only if a request has been registered in advance.

PostBus offers on-demand solutions of all kinds. However, thanks to our experience and expertise, we can go a step further: we offer tailor-made transport solutions – whether as a pure on-demand service, as a combination of various types of on-demand services or as different types of on-demand services combined with traditional scheduled services.

PostBus offers not only complete solutions, but also advice and services relating to on-demand transport. These include:

• Digital on-demand systems, such as apps
• Procurement and servicing of vehicles
• Trained PostBus drivers
• Training for drivers and back office
• Organization of service planning
• Marketing services and consulting (from designing individual logos such as the Kollibri on-demand icon through to complete campaigns)

We offer demonstration services lasting several days or weeks. Thanks to our digital platform, we can implement this type of service for your region in a short space of time. If you are interested in receiving more information, we would be happy to create a detailed analysis for your deployment region. As an interested purchaser, you can contact us via ondemand@postbus.ch or directly through your Key Account Manager. We would be happy to advise you.

PostBus has over 25 years of experience with all types of on-demand service. As no city, mountain region or residential area is the same, our mobility advisors analyse each query individually and put together a tailored solution. Thanks to this expertise, PostBus can offer flexible transport solutions that are more sustainable, more economical and tailored to customer requirements.

Yes, all types of on-demand services are subject to licensing and eligible for subsidies. This was set out in an industry report in 2021, which was co-authored by the FOT and FEDRO alongside the most significant stakeholders in Swiss public transport. PostBus is the proof: in Appenzell, Thusis and Vaud, the on-demand solution PubliCar is part of the regular transport contract.