Hamburg’s on-demand shuttle service, “hvv hop,” will be joined by autonomous cars in the coming years. By the end of 2025, 20 automated and 28 manual vehicles will be in operation, with the project funded by the Federal Ministry of Transport with 18 million euros. This move is part of the “Automation of Hamburg’s on-demand offer with integration into public transport” project, known as ahoi. Deutsche Bahn is reportedly working on a similar project in Hesse, with both autonomous vehicles initially being operationally supervised without passengers before being approved for passenger use.
The aim of the ahoi project is to ensure that every resident of Hamburg can reach public transport within five minutes. The on-demand service hvv hop is set to complement the city’s existing public transport network, and the digital mobility advantages can be combined with efficient traffic control, according to the project description. The service will initially be available in Harburg, in the Segeberg district and in the Stormann district.
The project is part of the federal government and the city of Hamburg’s declaration of intent on the “mobility model region,” which aims to have up to 10,000 autonomous vehicles on the road in Hamburg by 2030. The declaration includes the automation of the Hamburg S-Bahn and the organization of the UITP World Congress in Hamburg in 2025 and 2027.
In conclusion, the integration of autonomous vehicles in Hamburg’s on-demand shuttle service, hvv hop, is a significant step towards the city’s goal of providing accessible public transport within five minutes of every resident by 2030. The ahoi project will also help optimize traffic control and provide a more comfortable experience for passengers. The initiative aligns well with the “mobility model region” plan, which includes the automation of other public transport systems and a greater adoption of autonomous vehicles.
