The Clean energy for EU islands secretariat has provided targeted technical assistance to Saaremaa, Estonia’s largest island, to support the development of more flexible, accessible and sustainable public transport solutions tailored to its island context.
Facing challenges linked to low population density, dispersed settlements and strong seasonal fluctuations in demand, Saaremaa sought expert support to explore innovative alternatives to conventional fixed-route transport. In response, the Secretariat delivered in-depth technical support focusing on two closely connected areas: the potential for Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) and the longer-term development of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) solutions adapted to island needs.
One strand of the assistance examined how demand-responsive transport could complement and partially replace underused fixed bus routes, particularly in rural and remote areas of the island. The analysis highlighted how DRT can improve accessibility for residents without private cars, elderly users and seasonal workers, while also allowing public authorities to optimise operating costs and reduce unnecessary vehicle kilometres. Special attention was given to the integration of DRT with existing ferry and bus services, ensuring seamless connections to Kuressaare and key transport hubs.
Building on this, the technical assistance also explored pathways for Saaremaa to move towards a Mobility as a Service approach over time. The work assessed different governance and integration models for MaaS platforms, identifying solutions that would allow users to plan, book and pay for trips across multiple transport modes through a single digital interface. Given the island’s characteristics, a step-by-step approach was recommended, starting with digitally enabled demand-responsive services as a foundation for more comprehensive MaaS solutions in the future.
A second component of the technical assistance focused on the economic and strategic feasibility of public transport improvements in Saaremaa and the neighbouring island Ruhnu, including a business case analysis of different operational models. This work examined costs, environmental impacts and social benefits, supporting local decision-makers in identifying financially viable and climate-aligned transport pathways.
Particular emphasis was placed on the potential role of energy cooperatives and locally produced renewable energy in powering electrified transport services, in line with Estonia’s national climate objectives and the EU Green Deal.
The technical assistance was developed in close cooperation with local and regional stakeholders and resulted in two publicly available reports that provide actionable guidance for Saaremaa’s authorities. Together, these outputs offer a solid knowledge base to support informed decision-making and future investment in sustainable mobility solutions on the islands.
Both reports can be found here Plan for Business Case Analysis, Public Transport in Saaremaa and Ruhnu Islands | Clean energy for EU islands & Mobility as a Service and Demand Responsive Transport in Saaremaa | Clean energy for EU islands