Very high demand

“Maxi” rolls in: Matrei is looking for volunteer drivers

The "Virger Mobil" has been operating in the municipality for a good 20 years(Bild: Gemeinde Virgen)

Sprawling municipal areas and a lack of public transport are increasing the demand for cabs. Matrei is now looking for volunteers to chauffeur local residents from 2025.

With an area of almost 280 square kilometers, Matrei is the largest municipality in East Tyrol. Due to its vastness, it is particularly difficult for senior citizens, but also for anyone without a driver's license, to get from A to B at certain times.

That's why they are now looking for volunteers to drive the "Maxi" (short for Matrei cab). "We provide our community bus for this purpose, which is used by clubs. They almost only need it at weekends," explains Mayor Raimund Steiner. This is a low financial risk.

The "Maxi" can be used by anyone, there is no age limit. However, it will mainly be used for visits to the doctor or to take senior citizens to the senior citizens' center.

Raimund Steiner, Bürgermeister von Matrei in Osttirol

Launch planned for early 2025
Demand has increased recently. The first volunteers have already been found to transport passengers on call once a month. If there are enough volunteers, the "Maxi" will run from Monday to Friday for local residents. Ideally at the beginning of 2025. "There is no age limit. However, it will mainly be used for doctor's appointments or to take senior citizens to the retirement home," says Steiner.

Similar models have been around for years: In Virgen, the "Virger Mobil" has been running since 2005. 26 volunteers have covered more than 300,000 kilometers. The municipalities in Defereggen Valley have also been relying on the "DefMobil" for 14 years and in Kals a. G. people are taken to medical appointments or connecting buses.