There has been a new airport shuttle in Graz since Monday, which is initially being evaluated as part of a six-month test run. This is intended to transport passengers between the airport and the public transport stations, thereby closing a gap. Use is free for the time being.

The trial operation is part of the Graz project "Move2Zero" and is to be operated as required. The concept is most likely comparable to a so-called on-call bus. In concrete terms, this means that you have to register your desire to travel. According to Graz Holding, only vehicles with electric drives are used. The automated charging system "Matrix Charging" from the Graz-based company Easelink is also used.

Until mid-October 2022, the on-demand shuttle will take passengers emission-free, on-demand and free of charge from selected public transport stops to the airport and back. In contrast to classic regular service, the shuttle does not run according to the timetable, but when called. You can call via www.grz-shuttle.at or via the QR codes placed at the bus stops. After the departure and destination stops, the number of people and the pieces of luggage have been announced, the shuttle will be at the pick-up point in a few minutes. The on-demand shuttle runs daily from 4.30:20.00 a.m. to 5:600 p.m. and serves the stops at Graz Airport, Graz-Feldkirchen Airport S-Bahn station (line S620), Abtissendorf Flughafenstraße regional bus stop (bus line XNUMX/XNUMX) and Amedia Express Graz Airport- Hotel.

A battery-electric shuttle is used: the Mercedes e-Vito. The e-Vito is charged via the automated conductive charging system "Matrix Charging" from Easelink. As soon as the shuttle is parked in front of the arrivals hall at the airport, the so-called matrix charging connector is automatically lowered from the underbody of the vehicle and connected to the charging plate on the parking lot floor. This makes charging the shuttle particularly easy, without having to leave the car and plug in a cable. The project partner Energie Graz supplies the innovative charging system with green electricity.

"The new airport shuttle is a very exciting and at the same time practical innovation," explains Jürgen Loeschnig, Managing Director of Graz Airport. "On the one hand, because it fits perfectly with our efforts to reduce CO2 emissions due to the environmentally friendly and future-oriented drive technology, on the other hand, because it represents a completely new service for our passengers arriving by train".

Facts at a glance:

• Duration of the test operation: from May 16, 2022 to mid-October 2022
• Hours of operation: from 4.30:20.00 a.m. to XNUMX:XNUMX p.m
• Stops: Graz Airport - S-Bahn station Graz-Feldkirchen Airport (line S5) - regional bus stop Abtissendorf Flughafenstraße (bus line 600/620) - Amedia Express Graz Airport-Hotel
• Vehicle: Mercedes e-Vito (battery-electric shuttle; 9-seater)
• Free service during trial operation
• Call system (on-demand service) via grz-shuttle.at
• Matrix Charging: automated conductive charging system from Easelink.