New Virger Mobil: 20 years of volunteering for seniors!

New Virger Mobil: 20 years of volunteering for seniors!

In Virgen, the new electric car of the volunteer “Virger Mobil” volunteer service was recently presented, which has been making a valuable contribution to mobility within the municipality for 20 years. The project, initiated by Mayor Dietmar Ruggenthaler, started in 2005 as a case study for the community academy in order to develop the legal and technical framework for sustainable mobility. The service enables older citizens in particular: inside access to important places such as doctors, shops and the church.

The "Virger Mobil" is available Monday to Friday and is organized by 25 volunteer drivers: inside. If the electric car drives, users need: only a contribution of 1 euro per trip inside, regardless of the route within the municipality. In the past seven years, the old electric car has covered over 137,000 kilometers and promoted more than 40,000 passengers. This impressive balance sheet shows the efficiency and the value of the service for the community. Particularly noteworthy is the prospect of the drivers: inside that kept the vehicle largely unscathed.

A proof of social cohesion

The new model, an electric citroen, was handed over to the volunteer drivers as part of a celebration. Mayor Ruggenthaler thanked him for the tireless efforts of everyone involved. "Virger Mobil" is not only an example of sustainable mobility, but also a model for social cohesion. In the past two decades, many imitators have found it in other communities and is recognized as the “mother” of all rural mobility services in Austria. In this way, the concept is becoming increasingly relevant against the background of the demographic development of rural areas.

The voluntary driving service, as it is practiced in Virgen, offers an opportunity to meet the challenges of an aging society. Such services are particularly suitable for rural areas with fewer than 200 people per square kilometer, where alternative mobility solutions are often missing. They not only facilitate everyday paths such as purchases and visits to the doctor, but also promote social interaction and quality of life in rural regions. In many cases, the trips must be registered one day in advance and the service operates within a clearly defined operating area.

guidelines for sustainable rural mobility

In addition to the on -site efforts, the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has also published a guide for sustainable mobility in rural areas. This guide contains practical examples such as citizen buses and shuttles and aims to promote multimodal traffic concepts. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder emphasizes the need to take into account the mobility needs of the city and country. The guide offers recommendations for project implementations, financing options and the cooperation of actors from the transport sector.

In summary, it can be determined that the "Virger Mobil" service is a shining example of sustainable mobility and community cohesion. The combination of volunteering with modern, environmentally friendly transport not only promotes the mobility of the older generation, but also a more valuable contribution to the livable design of rural communities.

Further information on similar projects are on the websites of Dolomitenstadt , Mobilikon and bmv