German cities sign transit co-operation agreement

Germany’s three largest public transport companies, in Berlin, Hamburg and München (Munich) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic partnership with the aim of jointly shaping public transport of the future, with greater focus on customers, leveraging synergies to reduce costs and realising efficiency potential by setting industry standards. Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation and autonomous driving are opening up enormous opportunities, but require a change from decentralised individual projects to common standards and scalable approaches. BVG, Hochbahn and MVG will pursue this by consistent collaboration, standardisation and new business models to serve over seven million residents in total. A common app will be introduced for buses, trams, trains and shared mobility services. The targeted timeframe for implementing the measures is 2030-2035. 

 

Henrik Falk, CEO of Berlin operator BVG, said’Here we go! Autonomous driving, a shared platform, a digital future in public transport - none of this is a distant prospect. We are bringing together the bright minds of the three largest public transport companies and a shared will to advance the future of public transport and mobility in Germany. Waiting is a thing of the past. We are making it happen now’.