Berlin to Launch Autonomous Buses by 2027
Berlin to Introduce Autonomous Buses by 2027
The BVG, Berlin’s public transport authority, has announced plans to deploy self-driving buses across the city by 2027. While Berlin already operates a few pilot projects involving automated buses, large-scale trials are set to commence in 2025.
Self-Driving Buses for Berlin
Fully autonomous buses will soon become a regular feature on Berlin’s streets, according to the BVG. Initial trials of automated buses began in 2018, including a self-driving shuttle at the Charité campus and another for airport staff at the former Tegel Airport. Inspired by Hamburg’s T20 automated bus project, slated for city centre deployment in 2025, Berlin aims to expand its use of this technology to the general public.
BVG chair Henrik Falk emphasized that automated transport could address Germany’s workforce shortages while playing a pivotal role in transitioning to sustainable urban mobility, offering convenience comparable to private car ownership.
BeIntelli: Pioneering Automated Vehicle Tests in Berlin
BeIntelli, a research initiative funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure, has been testing autonomous vehicles along one of Berlin’s busiest routes. The 22-kilometre stretch from Adenauerplatz to Brandenburger Tor and Großer Stern accommodates around 60,000 vehicles daily, presenting significant challenges for BeIntelli’s automated systems.
Soon, BeIntelli plans to allow passengers to travel on these test routes, further integrating automated transport into Berlin’s urban landscape.