Three major German public transport operators – Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Hamburger Hochbahn AG (Hochbahn), and Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a strategic partnership for smart mobility solutions. For the first time, operators from Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich are working together on a nationwide alliance. This alliance aims at improving services for more than seven million residents across the three metropolitan regions.
Focus on Digitalisation and Innovation
According to their joint declaration, the companies will collaborate closely on digitalisation, standardisation, and new business models. The partnership will initially concentrate on three key areas:
- Autonomous vehicles: By 2035, up to 2,000 autonomous vehicles are expected to be integrated into the transport systems of the three cities.
- Mobility platform (MAX): A shared app will be launched to combine access to bus, rail, and shared mobility services.
- Standardised sales systems: Ticketing and sales channels will be harmonised and digitalised, ensuring a seamless customer experience across regions.
Coordinated and Long-Term Approach
The Memorandum takes immediate effect and is open-ended. Measures defined in the use cases will be implemented in phases between 2030 and 2035. To avoid redundant structures and isolated projects, the three operators will establish a lean organisational model with focused working groups for each use case. A steering committee composed of representatives from all three cities will be overseeing of the coordination .
Setting Standards for the Future of Transport
This collaboration marks a significant step for public transport in Germany. By joining forces, the three operators aim to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and set industry-wide standards. Above all, the shared goal is to harness digitalisation and new technologies to deliver more customer-focused mobility solutions for the future.
