Hamburg and Berlin have been designated as extended model regions for mobility with federal support to advance autonomous buses in public transport. The initiative aims to enhance exchange and collaboration between regions while addressing the severe shortage of bus drivers. The approach holds potential to revolutionize public transport, especially in rural areas.
Germany's public transport system (ÖPNV) faces a severe shortage of personnel, particularly bus drivers. Autonomous buses could provide a crucial boost by operating driverlessly and reliably. However, the system is organized regionally, leading to fragmented pilot projects and a lack of exchange. Many processes are redundantly repeated across locations, incurring unnecessary costs.
Hamburg has been gathering experience with ride-pooling taxis from VW subsidiary MOIA, which are set to become autonomous by 2027 at the latest. Berlin is experimenting with the reactivated call taxi Berl-König, soon to be followed by an autonomous on-demand shuttle. Now, both cities are being expanded into model regions for mobility with federal support. This promotes greater exchange and collaboration, which is seen as overdue and exemplary, and should serve as a model for other transport associations.
Rural areas stand to benefit particularly: Buses could run more frequently and during off-peak times instead of just twice a day. Autonomous shuttles could bridge the gap to stops. Thinking in larger networks, as exemplified by the Deutschlandticket, makes sense. Reducing the number of nationwide transport associations would simplify matters.
The European automotive industry must more boldly advance autonomous driving. VW is only beginning with MOIA, even as images of robo-taxis in San Francisco highlight potential in individual transport.
