Approximately 30,000 commuters annually rely on the two local bus services in Speng for their daily transportation needs.

The small town of Spenge in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, is home to a unique and thriving community service - the Spenge Citizens' Bus Association (Spenge Bürgerbus-Vereinigung). Established 25 years ago, the association has been providing essential transport services to its residents for a quarter of a century.

The city of Spenge owns the citizen buses, which serve four districts of the Ostwestphalian town. The association, which has been the only one of its kind in Ostwestfalen, operates with two buses and has grown steadily since its inception in 2000.

The Spenge Citizens' Bus Association has been featured in various news sources, including Studios NRW, Lüdinghausen, and Gerhard Brinkmann, and continues to attract attention for its dedication to community service.

Hans-Jürgen Krain, a professional who previously worked for the Bielefeld public transport company, has taken the helm as the new first chairman of the association. Krain is joined by a dedicated team of volunteers, including Helga Krazewski, a former teacher who volunteers to drive one of the buses. Her husband, Hans-Egon Kirchhoff, the husband of the previous chairman, plans to drive for the association this year and then retire.

Ilse Kirchhoff, who led the association for 23 years, was honoured on the anniversary celebration. The association has now carried around 300,000 passengers, with over 30,000 passengers in 2024 alone.

The Spenge Citizens' Bus Association operates with two buses, one of which was a recent acquisition costing 120,000 euros. Drivers must hold a class B driver's license, undergo a mandatory annual health check, and have a clean police conduct certificate.

Service is provided from Monday to Friday, from morning till evening, and on Saturdays, from morning till midday. The buses serve a vital role in the community, helping residents get to medical appointments, shopping centres, and various other destinations.

The association's website is available until 2027, providing information on schedules, routes, and volunteer opportunities. The Spenge Citizens' Bus Association e.V., the City of Spenge, and various interviews with its members were sources for this article.

The Spenge Citizens' Bus Association continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of its volunteers and the support of the community. The association is a shining example of community spirit and a testament to the power of volunteerism.

Approximately 30,000 commuters annually rely on the two local bus services in Speng for their daily transportation needs.