Five questions for Steffen Opitz and Renee Ramdohr
The Head of the DVWG Head Office and the Secretary-General of the ÖVG discuss the future of bus transport, including sustainability, digitalisation, skilled workers, and European cooperation.
How can bus transport in the future become more sustainable, digital and attractive? Steffen Opitz of the German Transport Science Society and Renée Ramdohr of the Austrian Transport Science Society address this issue. In this interview, they provide insights into current mobility research developments, highlight opportunities and challenges for urban and rural areas, and demonstrate how cross-border collaboration fosters innovation. They also explain why specialist events such as BUS2BUS are key meeting places for the industry, and what visitors can particularly look forward to at their joint panel discussion.
1. What first attracted you to the field of mobility and transport science, and what particularly fascinates you about it?
Steffen Opitz: I am a political scientist by training and have always found it fascinating how central mobility is to our society. From childhood to old age, we are constantly on the move – in our leisure time, at work and on short and long journeys. Our goods are also constantly in motion, often unnoticed in the background. Transport is a complex interplay of a wide variety of actors, and I find it fascinating that this system functions so reliably day after day. I am particularly enthusiastic about local public transport. People are on duty around the clock, including on public holidays, and at the same time, technology is becoming more efficient, quieter and more comfortable. It is this fascination that ultimately led me to turn my passion into my profession.
Renée Ramdohr: I originally came from the tourism sector, but I quickly realised that it lacked the dynamism and future orientation I was looking for. Mobility, on the other hand, affects us all: it shapes our everyday lives and quality of life, and ultimately the development of our society. My interest in mobility stems from my own mobility needs and my desire to work in a field where I can make a real difference. I am particularly fascinated by the connection between practice and science. Transport science enables us to understand complex interrelationships, analyse problems in depth, and develop solutions that have a real impact. In my role at the association, I prioritise bringing this scientific perspective to our interactions with industry and society, creating a platform where knowledge is shared and innovation is promoted.
2. How do you envisage bus transport developing in the coming years, particularly with regard to sustainable mobility, digitalisation, and evolving travel habits?
Steffen Opitz: Bus transport remains the backbone of the public transport system. It is flexible and can respond quickly to new demands, connecting urban and rural areas alike. With its innovative drive systems, bus transport is making an important contribution to clean mobility in city centres while enabling sustainable connections in rural areas. Bus transport is also indispensable as a replacement service during construction work or disruptions. Autonomous driving will undoubtedly lead to significant innovation: if buses can operate independently of drivers in the future, even less popular routes can be reliably served – creating new opportunities for public services and connectivity in rural areas.
Renée Ramdohr: In the coming years, transforming bus fleets to use sustainable energy sources will be one of the central challenges – and opportunities – in public transport. Although many impressive projects are already demonstrating the potential of this transition, Germany and Austria still have some catching up to do in this area compared to other European countries. Electric mobility in particular will play a key role. Whether hydrogen will prove to be a long-term economical and ecological alternative remains to be seen – the decisive factors here will be securing long-term financing for these changes and including smaller transport companies.
I also see enormous potential in on-demand transport, particularly for suburban and rural areas. Flexible, digitally controlled services can offer real added value, particularly in combination with autonomous technologies where traditional scheduled services reach their limits. While such concepts have already been tested or even implemented in other countries, Europe is still in the early stages. Nevertheless, I am convinced that these developments will be crucial in making mobility more sustainable, inclusive and future-proof.
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Steffen Opitz, Head of the DVWG Head Office: “We cannot do without buses.” (Copyright: DVWG)
3. Mr Opitz, which topics are currently dominating the debate on transport science in Germany? Are there any trends or challenges that you think will significantly impact the future of mobility?
Steffen Opitz: Financing is undoubtedly a key issue. Local authorities and transport companies are facing enormous challenges, and this is precisely where research comes in. How can we secure mobility in the long term and finance it fairly?
Another major area is road safety. Many are pursuing Vision Zero, i.e. the goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities, and I am convinced that public transport plays a pivotal role in achieving this. Modern vehicles, new safety technologies, and well-trained staff all contribute to making our roads safer.
Last but not least, we are addressing mobility in rural areas, which was also the DVWG's theme for 2025. Buses are central to this: they bridge gaps in railway coverage, transport children to school and working people into the city, and ensure that leisure, culture and supplies remain accessible outside urban areas. There is certainly still potential here, but one thing is clear: we cannot do without buses.
Renée Ramdohr, Secretary General of the ÖVG: ‘Mobility is a connecting element for people, regions and ideas throughout Europe’ (Copyright: ÖVG)
4. Ms Ramdohr, could you please outline the current priorities of the ÖVG's working groups and events? Where do you see the greatest opportunities and need for action within the Austrian transport system?
Renée Ramdohr: The ÖVG is currently addressing four key issues that affect all areas of transport equally: skills shortages and diversity; maintenance and availability; climate change and resilience; and global change and strategic dependencies. These issues form a common theme throughout our working groups and events as they reflect the central challenges facing the entire transport system.
The shortage of skilled workers in particular highlights the extent to which all modes of transport, from freight to buses, are affected. The lack of qualified personnel, such as bus drivers, has become a social issue as well as an operational one. Diversity and new training pathways are just as important as technological support, for example through automation and digitalisation.
Another key issue is the maintenance and availability of vehicles and infrastructure. Without reliable systems, sustainable transport cannot function. At the same time, climate change and the associated adaptation requirements are presenting the entire sector with new challenges. We must make mobility more resilient to extreme weather events, energy crises, and geopolitical dependencies.
We are also addressing issues of digitalisation and operational mobility. I see enormous opportunities for bus transport in this area in particular: digital tools allow for more efficient planning, flexible deployment concepts, and improved integration with other modes of transport. This will enable buses to play an even greater role in a sustainable, networked and resilient transport system in the future.
5. Both the ÖVG and the DVWG promote interdisciplinary exchange between science, politics, and practice. Where do you currently see the greatest opportunities for increased cooperation, perhaps at a European level?
Steffen Opitz: I see great potential in autonomous driving, alternative drive systems and digitalisation. Many developments are taking place in parallel, which makes cross-border exchange particularly valuable. We can learn from each other in terms of legal frameworks, the integration of new technologies, and the design of user-friendly digital services. Adopting a European perspective helps us to view mobility as a joint project for the future.
Renée Ramdohr: 'Mobility does not stop at national borders, and this is precisely where there is a great opportunity for closer cooperation between our organisations in Europe.' In border regions in particular, we can see how closely transport networks are already interlinked, and how important it is to coordinate their further development. Europe is not only a shared living space, but also a strong economic location that benefits from mutual support and the exchange of innovations.
I see great potential for European cooperation, particularly in infrastructure planning and digitalisation. To think in terms of cross-border and cross-modal transport chains, we need common guidelines, compatible systems, and clear, reliable financing structures above all. This will enable us to make mobility more efficient, sustainable and resilient.
Exchange between science, politics and practice across national borders is indispensable in this regard. This allows us to learn from each other, exploit synergies, and recognise that mobility is, at its core, a means of connecting people, regions, and ideas throughout Europe.
6. Why are trade fairs and specialist events such as BUS2BUS important for the development of mobility? Could you also give us an idea of what visitors to your panel can particularly look forward to?
Steffen Opitz: Specialist events such as BUS2BUS are indispensable because they showcase innovations and facilitate personal interaction. You can meet the people behind the ideas here: developers, operators, researchers and decision-makers. It's always a bit like a family reunion for the industry, providing an opportunity to network, learn from each other, and set new trends together.
At our panel, visitors can look forward to exciting discussions, practical insights, and open exchanges about the future of bus transport.
Renée Ramdohr: For me, trade fairs such as BUS2BUS are places where people from different fields – science, industry, politics and administration – come together, and that creates the opportunity to think outside the box together. Such events promote cooperation, new perspectives and, last but not least, the inspiration needed to take a holistic approach to mobility.
Our panel discussion will focus on the transition from planning to implementation. Using practical examples ranging from e-mobility to on-demand transport, we will demonstrate how innovative projects can be successfully implemented when all relevant stakeholders collaborate. Our goal is to demonstrate how ideas can be transformed into tangible solutions that will shape the bus mobility of tomorrow.