In the working group’s view, people should still be able to participate in social life even if they have limited mobility: Even if you’re not quite as fit as you used to be or rely on assistive devices such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair, you should still have the opportunity to visit friends or pursue your interests outside your own home. To do so, however, it makes sense in some cases to familiarize oneself—either for the first time or again—with the services and challenges of public transportation. 

Andreas Kowol, Wiesbaden’s Director of Transportation and also Executive Director of the State Capital’s Prevention Council, explains the goals of this initiative: “To dispel unfounded fears, inform customers about available support options, and demonstrate in a practical way how the bus can be used safely and comfortably even with a disability.” 

Explanations, tips, and practical exercises—especially addressing questions such as “How can I ride the bus as safely as possible? Will I get pinched if the door suddenly closes while I’m still boarding? Can the driver see me if I’m trying to board from the very back? How can walker and wheelchair users ride the bus safely?” are designed to help seniors remain mobile for as long as possible. 

Participants have the opportunity on Thursday, September 10, 

· at 1:30 p.m. at the “Hauptbahnhof A” stop (near Lili),

· at 1:40 p.m. at the “Herzogsplatz” stop (toward the Rhine embankment), and

· at 1:45 p.m. at the “Rheinufer/Adolf-Todt-Straße” stop)

to board the bus early so that everyone can travel together to the event at 2:00 p.m. at “Rheinbahnhof” on Glarusstraße (toward Rheingaustraße), where ESWE Verkehr GmbH staff will offer tips and provide an opportunity for hands-on practice. “No one should have to forgo using our buses out of fear or uncertainty. That’s what we and our partners want to address with this training,” emphasizes Klaus Peter Wollny of ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH. 

The mobility training is offered as part of the “MAXimal mobil bleiben – mit Verantwortung” (Max Mobil) campaign by the “Gemeinsam sicher” working group of the Prevention Council of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, ESWE Verkehr GmbH, and the West Hesse Police Headquarters. 

Since only a limited number of spots are available, registration is required at the Biebrich Neighborhood Center, phone (0611) 9672120, or at the Prevention Council’s office by phone at (0611) 312545 or by email at praeventionsrat@wiesbaden.de.