Friday, 29 November
BVG plans autonomous buses by 2027
Autonomous buses could become part of Berlin’s local transport system in just a few years. The BVG, in partnership with the city of Hamburg, plans to introduce self-driving buses to Berlin’s streets, with large-scale test operations scheduled to start as early as 2025.
Inspired by Hamburg’s plan to launch 20 self-driving minibuses in its city center next year, Berlin aims to tackle chronic staffing shortages by integrating autonomous vehicles into its public transport network. These driverless buses could eventually become a key tool for addressing the growing demand for sustainable urban mobility.
The city has quietly been experimenting with autonomous vehicles since 2018. Early trials included driverless shuttles on Charité campuses and a pilot route in Tegel. More recently, the BeIntelli project has been testing a self-driving, 12-meter bus on city streets, running between Brandenburg Gate and Adenauerplatz, with plans to allow public riders soon. Though it operates autonomously under specific conditions, a driver remains on standby to ensure safety.
BVG Chairman Henrik Falk believes such advancements are essential for the mobility transition, emphasising that autonomy could bring public transport closer to the convenience of private car ownership.
