No ticket, no mobility – and no mobility, no participation. A student project at THWS highlights the challenges faced by homeless people in their daily lives and explores which political and social solutions could improve access to public transport.
Published on 21 September 2026
Simply hopping on a tram or bus without having to buy a ticket first – for many students with a Deutschlandticket, this is a matter of course. Their smartphone is to hand, and getting from A to B seems effortless. Mobility means freedom, flexibility and social inclusion. Yet this freedom is not equally accessible to everyone. What is part of everyday life for many remains out of reach for others – because they lack the money. Homeless people, in particular, feel just how much a lack of mobility restricts their daily lives.
A student project with social relevance
Master’s students on the Social Work programme at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) examined this issue in depth during the summer semester of 2025. The project was led by Professor Dr. Dieter Kulke from the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences. The project’s partners were the German Professional Association for Social Work in Bavaria (DBSH) and Ben Peter from Streetwork Regensburg. As early as 2024, the DBSH and Streetwork Regensburg had developed a concept for free local public transport for homeless people.
The aim of the #KÖPNV project (free local public transport) was to identify ways in which access to local public transport for homeless people could be improved. “The aim was to highlight their living conditions, needs and challenges, and to improve their scope for action and opportunities for participation in society,” explains Professor Dr. Kulke.
Mobility as the key – and as a problem
According to current estimates, there are around 600 homeless people living in Würzburg. The majority of them live in shelters or other precarious circumstances; around 20 to 40 people are considered homeless and live permanently on the streets. Without a valid ticket, homeless people cannot use public transport. They often lack the money for tickets. If they do use public transport and are caught during a ticket inspection, they face a fine of 60 euros for travelling without a valid ticket. As they are usually unable to pay this sum, it is not uncommon for criminal proceedings to be brought and, ultimately, for prison sentences to be imposed. The resulting costs are ultimately borne by the general public.
At the same time, homeless people are particularly reliant on mobility. They need to reach social services such as warming centres or advice centres, go to look at apartments or attend medical appointments. Many of them have health issues or are exhausted. For some, a journey by tram or bus also provides a safe, warm place.
How the students work and their tasks
As part of the project, the students worked in various groups. They collected data and researched existing models in the field of free or subsidised transport services. They also conducted expert interviews with organisations in Würzburg that are in regular contact with people experiencing homelessness and are familiar with their living conditions. Interviews took place with, amongst others, the Bahnhofsmission, Streetwork and the head of the Christophorus-Gesellschaft’s homeless support service.
In addition, the students spoke with political figures in Würzburg, including members of two city council groups, in order to assess the political feasibility of such measures. They also analysed political responsibilities at federal, state and, in particular, local level, existing transport services and the political framework in Würzburg. A key finding of the project also concerns the role of social work in the political context. “Politics defines the framework within which social work takes place in our welfare state. At the same time, social work can exert political influence at various levels,” emphasises Professor Dr. Kulke.
Possible solutions
Discussions with the experts painted a clear picture: from a technical perspective, free local public transport for everyone would be the simplest solution. However, as this approach presents significant financial challenges, alternative models were also discussed.
One possible approach is the reintroduction of a heavily discounted ‘Deutschlandticket’. The 9-euro ticket, which was already offered nationwide in the summer of 2022, demonstrated how such a model could work.
Other possibilities include:
- discounted tickets for specific groups (e.g. social tickets), which could also be introduced for homeless people,
- waiving prosecution for homeless people in cases of travelling without a ticket,
- or the distribution of free tickets through social welfare organisations, such as the railway station charity.
However, from Professor Dr. Kulke’s perspective, the latter two approaches do not represent a long-term solution, as they often lack binding regulations, could spark a debate fuelled by envy, and would, in some cases, be dependent on donations. Master’s student Selina Schwarz spoke with the head of the Christophorus Gesellschaft’s homeless support service, a member of The Left party, and a city councillor for The Left in Würzburg. She highlights social and financial issues in particular: “The main problems with implementation are funding and the question of social justice. The question arises as to how it can be justified that homeless people are allowed to use public transport for free, whilst others have to pay for it.”
Mobility as a prerequisite for social participation
At the end of the project, the students produced policy papers in which they outlined the needs of homeless people and set out specific proposals for improving access to public transport. These findings were presented at a kick-off event to a panel of experts comprising Ben Peter from Streetwork Regensburg, as well as representatives from a charity and the city council. The aim of the event was to bring key stakeholders together, develop a shared understanding of the issues and lay the groundwork for further policy discussions.
However, pushing such a project through politically is proving to be a challenge. Local authorities are under financial pressure, and numerous social issues are competing for limited resources. Nevertheless, one key objective has been achieved: to draw attention to the issue and raise awareness of the importance of mobility for disadvantaged groups.
This is not just about political strategies, but also about societal attitudes. “Mutual respect is crucial. We should pay more attention to the issue of homelessness, take a closer look and take these people’s perspectives seriously,” says Selina Schwarz.
One thing is certain: access to transport is an essential prerequisite for social inclusion. For homeless people, it is indispensable for meeting basic needs, accessing support services and developing prospects for stabilising their life situation.
This article was written as part of the master's programme in Trade Journalism and Corporate Communication.
