NUM students identify potential improvements for Neuburg's public transport system

This is the conclusion reached by Sophia Döpke, a student on the bachelor's programme in sustainability and environmental management. In her bachelor's thesis, she used the theory of social practices to analyse how Neuburg residents feel about their city bus - in comparison to using a private car. From a survey of citizens, she deduced that driving a car is very strongly anchored as a social practice among Neuburg residents, while the city bus is often associated with deficits in the route network and frequency. Many of the interviewees also stated that they felt more competent in using the car than the city bus. Based on her findings, Döpke drew up recommendations for action, which she presented to the works committee of Neuburger Stadtwerke at the end of July: among other things, the visibility of the city bus must be increased and its advantages better communicated. The Neuburger Rundschau newspaper reported on Döpke's findings at the beginning of August (see illustration).