Similar to the BerlKönig, minibuses from Mercedes are also to be used for the new on-call bus (symbol photo) Photo: picture alliance/dpa
By Johannes Malinowski
Between the Ringbahn and the eastern city limits, the shared taxi will soon be making headway! The new BVG on-call bus will be launched in autumn.
The business area is more than 60 square kilometers. It includes parts of Treptow-Köpenick, Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf.
“The offer will be available 24/7,” says the traffic administration’s response to a request from the CDU. “When operations start, there is at least the option of paying by direct debit or credit card in the app.“
The new on-call bus is intended as a feeder to bus stops – but direct journeys should also be possible. With the offer, less well developed areas should be better connected to local transport. Passengers need a VBB ticket (area B). There are also surcharges for direct journeys.
The BVG wants to publish the exact prices first. The bus can be booked via smartphone app or by telephone.
The Via company has been operating the call bus BerlKönig for four years. But on July 20, that’s officially over. Then Via is responsible for the new offer with ten Mercedes minibuses for up to seven passengers.
“The mobility of citizens on the outskirts must not fail because of insufficient on-call bus capacity,” warns CDU MP Katharina Günther-Wünsch (39). Reason for the criticism: there used to be talk of up to 26 vehicles! “Area-wide public transport coverage needs an appropriate number of on-call buses,” said the CDU politician.
The state of Berlin is paying around three million euros for the project, which is initially scheduled to last until 2025.