Hamburg starts in 2025: Autonomous buses revolutionize local transport!

Hamburg starts in 2025: Autonomous buses revolutionize local transport!

Hamburg, Deutschland - Hamburg is on the edge of a traffic turnaround! From mid-2025, the first autonomous on-demand buses of the Moia and Holon companies will roll through the streets of the Hanseatic city. The routes that will operate the innovative “Alike” project were announced on Friday. A huge area of 37 square kilometers in the heart of Hamburg becomes a test field for these futuristic shuttle buses. From Stadtpark to Elbe and from Schlump to Wandsbek - autonomous driving is tried out under real conditions!

traffic senator Anjes Tjarks (Greens) described this step as crucial for modern local transport. "We want to increase the number of on-demand traffic in the city and thus also appeal to those people who have been dependent on the car so far," said Tjarks. The VW ID.Buzz AD and HOLON vehicles will start testing, whereby security drivers will be on board. The ID.Buzz offers space for up to four people, while Holon's models can transport up to 15 passengers. Both vehicles are fully electric and should promote environmentally friendly mobility.

Scientific support and social acceptance

But the project not only aims at technical innovation. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will examine the social acceptance of autonomous driving. A representative survey with at least 1,000 participants should provide information on how the public reacts to these new means of transport. "We want to learn where exactly autonomous vehicles can improve public transport," said Robert Henrich, CEO of the Hamburg Hochbahn.

With a funding of 26 million euros by the Federal Ministry of Transport, the “Alike” project is borne by a consortium from six partners. Tjarks emphasizes: "Autonomous ride pooling is the lack of puzzle pieces between classic buses and individual mobility needs." Hamburg is preparing for a new era of mobility that is not only innovative, but also sustainable!