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BVG tests autonomous minibuses – what does that mean for the taxi industry?
The VW ID. Buzz AD vehicles are equipped with sensors, cameras and extensive control technology. They operate at a so-called autonomy level 4, which in principle enables driverless operation. However, this cannot be entirely done without people for the time being: during the test drives, a safety person remains seated in the front to be able to intervene in an emergency. At the same time, a control center monitors the operation.
Test operation with passengers from 2026
In the first half of 2026, BVG intends to take the next step and let test groups ride along. Those interested can apply from the beginning of next year. The minibuses are then to serve a total route of 55 kilometers with around 80 stops – from bus stops to S-Bahn and U-Bahn stations. Passengers can book their ride via an app and will be transported during the test phase from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The test area covers around 15 square kilometers in the northwest of Berlin. The aim is to integrate the technology into public transport and to gain practical experience.
“With autonomous vehicles, we can, in the future, create a completely new mobility system that truly addresses the personal needs of the people in our city,” said BVG chief Henrik Falk at the official start.
Funding and Partners
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport with 9.5 million euros. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) called autonomous driving “the key to the mobility of the future.” It stands for greater efficiency and inclusion in road traffic. Projects like the Berlin one are “pioneering for public transport in Germany.”
In addition to the BVG, several partners from business and academia are involved – among others the Volkswagen subsidiary MOIA, which is already implementing a similar concept in Hamburg, the Technical University of Berlin, as well as the Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility (IKEM). The Berlin Senate also supports the project.
Outlook to 2027
After the completion of the test phase in mid-2027, the BVG will expand and stabilize the autonomous operation. Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) emphasized at the launch that they are deliberately starting on a small scale, “to scale it up”.
Significance for the taxi industry
For taxi operators, the project is likely to be watched closely. While public transport is experimenting with autonomous solutions, it remains unclear what role the taxi trade will play in a more digitized mobility system in the future. The test shows: public and private providers are increasingly moving on the same track — technologically and organizationally.
But still: In Berlin no shuttle runs alone. And until the algorithm replaces the driver, it is likely to take some time even after the completion of this project.
Content automatically translated.
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