Taxi bookings will be directly available in public-transport apps in the future.

Around 80 percent of smartphone users in Germany have at least one public transport app installed, but so far without integrated taxi booking. This is set to change with the new data standard 101 from the Mobility Association VSPV. According to the association, this is the first nationwide uniform data model that describes taxis, rental cars, on-demand transports, and patient transports in such a way that they can be integrated into existing information and booking systems of public transport. The adoption as version 1.0 is planned for 2026.

Technical basis based on NeTEx

Standard 101 is based on the European NeTEx standard and for the first time brings together all forms of on-demand transport in a single technical model. These include taxis under § 47 of the Passenger Transportation Act, rental cars under § 49 of the Passenger Transportation Act, as well as on-demand transports under § 42 and § 44a of the Passenger Transportation Act. Also patient transport trips are part of the model.

The goal is to make taxi and rental car rides visible and bookable as equal elements alongside bus and rail in the apps of the transport associations. Passengers should be able to plan and book their entire travel chain, including intermodal connections, within a single application.

Digital processes for patient transport

Another area of application concerns the digital organization of patient transports. Hospitals, physicians in private practice, and insured persons should be able to book trips electronically. Billing with health insurance funds and other cost bearers should be automated in the background.

Furthermore, according to the association, the standard enables standardized disposition of low-threshold transport means such as lying-down rental cars and disability transport vehicles via a unified interface for emergency dispatch centers.

Three integration levels planned

The standard defines three integration levels: from mere visibility in information systems to the inclusion of booking links to complete deep integration with seamless booking and real-time dispatch. Companies and transport associations can implement the integration gradually.

Federal project developing adapters

At the same time, the VSPV becomes an associated partner in the federal ODIN-MP project. The project is funded by the federal government with 1.6 million euros and is part of the mFUND program with a total volume of 3 million euros. The duration is scheduled until 2027.