Mercedes-Benz: Being mobile with Mobilisk
CO2-FREE SHUTTLEN Ridepooling is what the Basler Verkehrsbetriebe and Mercedes-Benz call the new mobility concept Mobilisk, which could soon replace fixed timetables in public transport thanks to a sophisticated app.
Are fixed schedules a discontinued model? With the on-demand ridepooling service Mobilisk, BVB is currently testing a concept for the future. At the heart of the pilot project are an intuitive app, a clever algorithm and three electric vans from Mercedes-Benz.
Supplement for regular operation
At a time when individuality is a top priority, the demands placed on public transport are also changing. Transport companies are therefore working on concepts that are independent of the timetable and complement regular services.
Bruno Stehrenberger, director of Basel's public transport company: "There are many people, especially younger ones, for whom fixed schedules are too tight - and cabs too expensive. Our new ridepooling service Mobilisk is aimed precisely at this target group."
Algorithm forms carpools
The principle of BVB ridepooling is simple. Anyone who wants to use the on-demand service downloads the Mobilisk app to their cell phone, creates a user account - and enters their starting point and destination.
An algorithm does the rest. Depending on demand, it forms carpools and calculates the optimal route.
Start and finish points are BVB stops
The test operation has been running since the beginning of May. For an initial period of six months, Mobilisk will operate between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Starting points and destinations are all BVB stops on the cantonal territory of Basel-Stadt.
These are served by a BVB minibus and three long, eight-seater e-Vito tourers from Mercedes-Benz.
