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CleverShuttle/HEAG: Electric On-Demand Service in Darmstadt

HeinerLiner: The pandemic-stricken on-demand subsidiary of the DB Group is returning with Germany's largest public transport E-shuttle bus service, starting with 20 Mercedes eVito Tourers.

Expands further: The eVito Tourer is intended to serve as the basis for the CleverShuttle service in Darmstadt, according to the manufacturer, with a range of over 400 kilometers. | Photo: CleverShuttle
Expands further: The eVito Tourer is intended to serve as the basis for the CleverShuttle service in Darmstadt, according to the manufacturer, with a range of over 400 kilometers. | Photo: CleverShuttle
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On April 1, 2021, HEAG mobilo officially launched the HeinerLiner on-demand service in Darmstadt. This aims to offer another alternative to private cars. Complementing buses and trains, the on-demand service is intended to transport passengers as part of public transportation in electric minibusses. DB subsidiaries CleverShuttle and ioki jointly manage the operational aspects and provide the technical platform. The service has been tested since March 2021 and is now transitioning to regular operations after a successful test phase.

This time fully electric, not just "hybrid"

An initial fleet of 20 electrically powered six-seater minibusses of the newly introduced Mercedes-Benz eVito Tourer type, with an official range of 421 kilometers, serves a dense network of stops in Darmstadt, thus complementing the local public transport system—on-demand and without a fixed schedule on flexible routes. The service is available from Monday to Thursday as well as on Sundays and holidays from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM. On Fridays and Saturdays, the HeinerLiner operates continuously. The service can be conveniently booked via the HeinerLiner app or by phone. Depending on the demand, there are plans to expand the fleet to 50 vehicles. The project is supported by the BMVI and the state of Hesse.

 

Comeback: DB Subsidiary CleverShuttle in Cooperation with Sister Company ioki

The on-demand specialist CleverShuttle, which was heavily affected by the pandemic, prevailed in a Europe-wide tender due to its extensive expertise in setting up electric pooling traffic and is now taking over the operational management for the on-demand service. The specialist handles driver and fleet management as well as the disposition of ongoing operations. The driving personnel are also employed by the DB on-demand subsidiary. The software for intelligent bundling of ride requests is provided by the DB subsidiary company ioki. The Deutsche Bahn subsidiaries are jointly implementing integrated mobility concepts to make it easier for more people to switch from private cars to public transport. According to the provider, this will create the largest fully electric on-demand traffic of a public transport company in Germany in Darmstadt.

"We are pleased to have gained such an experienced and successful partner in the field of on-demand traffic with CleverShuttle. Together, we can lead the project to success and advance the traffic transition," said Michael Dirmeier, Managing Director of HEAG mobilo.

Bruno Ginnuth, Managing Director and Co-Founder of CleverShuttle, emphasizes that the HeinerLiner is a flagship project for the widespread use of public transport pooling and sees it as an important signal to the mobility scene.

"We guarantee a high service level for passengers and quality standards in the operation of the vehicles and for the employed drivers, which are essential for the sustainable establishment of a new traffic offering beyond the funding period," promised Ginnuth.

Translated automatically from German.
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