Case Study
BerlKönig
Berlin, Germany
Urban
First-and-last-mile, General transportation, Point-to-point, Transit desert, Commuting
155 vehicles
24/7
hours of service
25,000+
rides per week
97%
rider satisfaction rate
Overview
Berlin has an extensive existing transit network, but the city still faces transportation challenges: a growing population has led to increased congestion, bringing into focus the need for reliable, affordable shared mobility. This is especially the case during service gaps on evenings and weekends. As a result, the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) — Berlin’s transit agency — partnered with Via to launch the largest on-demand public transit deployment in the world. The goal of the service is to reduce Berlin’s traffic congestion and increase access by providing a sustainable shared mobility option that complements the BVG’s existing public transit system.
Solution
In September 2018, Berlkönig launched as an affordable ride sharing option that primarily serves those traveling during off-peak times or to locations where existing fixed-route options are limited. The service operates in the eastern part of inner-city Berlin using a fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which includes fully electric eVito and B-Class minibuses and wheelchair-accessible V-Class vans. Riders without bank accounts can purchase ride credit in BVG customer centers using cash, while those without smartphones can book rides at designated kiosks.
The service also integrates with the BVG trip planning app “FahrInfo” through anAPI. Berlkönig appears when the alternative BVG connections are significantly slower or inconvenient to access. Users are instantly redirected to the BerlKönig app through a deep link, and their ride request is processed. Berlkönig also integrates with the BVG’s new multimodal app, “Jelbi,”which offers Berliners the most comprehensive way to plan, book, and pay for public transportation.
We want to show that a public transport company can work together with a start-up to develop new mobility services...Sharing a ride is part of our DNA. Driving multiple passengers together from stop to stop is a core competence for us as a local transport company."
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