Lüneburg's on-demand transport service drops cash payments to curb no-shows

Lüneburg District has introduced changes to its hvv hop Lüneburg on-demand transport service. The service, which replaced older dial-a-bus and shared taxi systems, now only accepts credit card payments temporarily. Passengers can still book rides via app or phone when regular buses are not running in the evenings and at night. The hvv hop Lüneburg service launched at the start of the year. It has since grown in popularity, according to Mareike Harlfinger-Düpow, head of mobility services for the district. The service requires a valid ticket, bookable through the app, with an extra fare based mainly on travel time.

Over the weekend, the district temporarily stopped accepting cash payments. This decision followed a rise in no-show bookings, where passengers reserved rides but did not use them. To tackle this, a software update added security measures to deter misuse of the booking system.

The district partners with local taxi companies to run the service. It fills gaps in public transport by offering late-night and evening rides when standard buses are unavailable. The temporary payment change aims to reduce no-show bookings and improve service reliability. Mareike Harlfinger-Düpow thanked customers for their patience during the adjustment. The district continues to refine the system to better meet passenger needs.