ViaVan launches new on-demand shared ride service in Bielefeld with moBiel
28 October 2019 (Bielefeld, Germany) -- ViaVan, the leader in public mobility in Europe, launches today the third public sector deployment of its technology for on-demand shared rides in Germany in the City of Bielefeld. This program is a direct partnership with local public transit operator moBiel, and it represents the potential for using technology to complement and extend public transit infrastructure in cities of all sizes.
The service, called “Anton”, provides affordable, efficient, and congestion-reducing access to transportation when and where public transit is less available. ViaVan, the joint-venture between Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans in Europe, was awarded the project following a competitive public procurement process by moBiel.
“ViaVan is redefining mobility across Germany, seamlessly integrating with and extending public transit infrastructure in cities of all sizes to provide fully on-demand and dynamic transportation solutions,” said Chris Snyder, ViaVan CEO. “We are proud to partner with moBiel to provide residents of Bielefeld with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing shared transportation option that creates a viable alternative to private car usage.”
Wheelchair-accessible, high-capacity Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans that accommodate up to eight passengers will operate in the service areas. Multiple passengers headed in a similar direction will be matched into a single vehicle by Via’s technology, and will be dynamically routed in real-time. Via’s technology minimizes detours through the use of “virtual bus stops”, or corner-to-corner service. The shared ride approach reduces congestion and emissions while providing a highly-efficient rider experience.
Anton will be rolled out in two phases across two service zones: first, in Sennestadt on October 28, and in the coming months, in Jöllenbeck. In Sennestadt, Anton will fill the gaps of the existing service during evening hours Monday to Saturday, and all day Sunday, when public transit is less available. In Jöllenbeck, Anton will strengthen transportation across the service zone for more flexible travel.
ViaVan will integrate moBiel’s “Fahrplan” public transit route planner into the Anton app. The planner provides visibility for public transit riders to the most efficient method of transportation for their individual journey, whether through Anton or other public transit infrastructure.
“Anton is an intelligent, flexible and efficient system. Especially in busy residential areas it can also reduce emissions and noise. It optimally complements our bus and light rail system so that the Bielefeld outskirts can be better connected,” says Martin Uekmann, CEO of moBiel.
“We have to rethink mobility in Bielefeld, and Anton is an important building block here. I understand the offer as a modern form of environmentally-friendly carpooling,” said Jens Julkowski-Kepper, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of moBiel. “I’m interested to see how Anton will be received in Sennestadt.”
In Berlin, ViaVan currently powers and operates the BerlKoenig, the largest public sector fleet of on-demand shared rides, in direct partnership with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). ViaVan’s technology also powers the mobile app for BVG’s first-and-last mile service in Brandenberg.
About ViaVan:
ViaVan is the leading provider of innovative on-demand shared transit services in Europe. ViaVan was founded in 2017 as a joint venture between Via, the world’s most sophisticated developer of dynamic shared rides technology, and Mercedes-Benz Vans, the leading manufacturer of iconic passenger and cargo vans. Working closely with cities and public transit operators, ViaVan powers dynamic mobility services that complement existing transportation infrastructure. ViaVan currently operates direct-to-consumer services in London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Milton Keynes. Through their partnership, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Via are also collaborating on the development of advanced mobility solutions, from sensor technology, to electric vehicle fleet management, to autonomous driving. Globally, ViaVan and parent company Via have been tapped by cities and transportation players to help re-engineer public transit from a regulated system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic, on-demand network. With more than 90 launched and pending deployments in 20 countries, Via and ViaVan have provided more than 70 million rides to date.