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BVG Kicks Off Level‑4 Autonomous Minibus Trial in Northwest Berlin

Federal funding backs VW-powered shuttles under human oversight to test flexible public transit.

Overview

  • The first five VW/Moia ID. Buzz AD vehicles begin operating next week in a defined northwest Berlin zone after an official launch by Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder and BVG CEO Henrik Falk.
  • The shuttles use Level‑4 autonomous technology but will run with an onboard safety operator and oversight from a remote control center.
  • Operations span 55 kilometers of routes across a 15 square kilometer area with about 80 stops in Spandau, Charlottenburg‑Nord and part of Reinickendorf, limited to Monday through Friday from 09:00 to 16:00.
  • BVG plans to admit passengers as registered testers in the first half of 2026 with free rides booked via an app.
  • The €9.5 million federally funded program runs through 2027 with vehicle approvals expected that year, and BVG envisions potential scaling to as many as 10,000 vehicles subject to regulatory clearance.