On-demand service: BVG relies on Via

Berlin's public transport company, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), has chosen Via as an on-demand service provider. Via will now provide the app with ride-pooling algorithm, the vehicle fleet, and the driving personnel for the "Alternative Barrier-Free Transport (ABB)" and the new digital call bus service in the eastern outskirts of the capital. The contract runs until the end of 2025, according to the BVG statement. In the coming months, BVG and Via plan to finalize all details of the new offerings and prepare for the service launch. Detailed information for passengers, such as the exact service area, fare details, the app's functionality, or the vehicle fleet, will follow in due time. For the "BerlKönig" in the eastern central Berlin, which BVG and Via have been operating since September 2018 as part of a research and development collaboration, nothing will change for now, the Berliners said - the current approval is valid until September 2022.

The start is planned for the third quarter of 2022 and is primarily electric

The start of ABB and the digital call bus is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2022. Both services are ordered by the State of Berlin within the framework of the transport contract. They complement the public transport service with buses and trains on-demand through bundled mobility. From the outset, a high proportion of electric mobility will be utilized, according to BVG.

Operation around the clock

The "BVG Call Bus" (working title) will be operational 24/7 in an area over 60 square kilometers in the east of Berlin. It is intended to bring passengers to regular public transport stops or pick them up from there. According to the plan, direct trips within the service area will also be possible. The call bus can be booked through an app or by phone. A valid VBB ticket is a prerequisite for riding, and depending on the type of ride, surcharges will be applied.

Barrier-Free Transport

The "Alternative Barrier-Free Transport (ABB)" (also a working title) can also be ordered by phone or app. It provides a mobility guarantee for passengers with disabilities who rely on barrier-free access for U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regional trains. ABB will be deployed, for example, at places that are not yet barrier-free or where an elevator is out of service or under renovation.

BVG plans to initially connect the U8, parts of the U5, and the Marienfelde S-Bahn station in a pilot project by the end of 2023. The service will be available city-wide starting in early 2024. A valid VBB ticket is sufficient for ABB usage, and the operating hours will correspond to those of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn.