Munich starts testing with free electric minibuses for everyone!

Munich starts testing with free electric minibuses for everyone!

The Munich Transport Company (MVG) is currently meeting with Progress and testing innovative electric minibuses in the Bavarian capital. From September 16th to October 24th, 2025, Munich residents have the opportunity to ride these new electric buses on line 167 in Hadern for free. The goal of this test phase is clear: the flexible minibuses are intended to better connect suburban areas and narrow neighborhoods to the public transport network.

The electric buses can accommodate up to 10 passengers and are designed to be barrier-free, so that there is also enough space for strollers and wheelchairs. A special feature is the ability to link up to three buses together and separate them at stops, which enables flexible adaptation to demand. According to MVG, in test operations, three coupled vehicles drive regularly between Waldfriedhof and Großhaderner Straße every day and also serve the following routes to Am Hedernfeld and Blumenau.

Flexible operating models in the test

The new line is not only practical, but also cleverly thought out. At the Großhaderner Straße stop, the vehicles are separated: one part continues on its way to Am Hedernfeld, the other to Blumenau. In this way, the momentum of the e-buses is used optimally, while the regular timetable of line 167 continues, meaning that the test run runs at the usual 60-minute intervals.

The path to autonomous driving

The challenges associated with the use of autonomous vehicles were also discussed by PwC in a recent report. In addition to the need to develop business models, clear procurement strategies and security concepts must also be developed so that the transition to operations runs smoothly. An essential step for MVG, which wants to focus not only on electric vehicles but also on autonomous systems in the near future.

The tests in Hadern serve as an important indicator and are intended to ensure that the MVG is optimally prepared to meet the challenges of modern traffic. The question of whether autonomous vehicles will be integrated into public transport has long since become a question of “When?” changed. Not only the city center, but also all neighboring districts are facing an exciting change.

Anyone interested will also have the opportunity to experience the demonstrations of the new electric minibuses themselves. An on-site appointment took place on September 16th at the Holzapfelkreuth subway station. It remains to be seen how the new technologies will develop and what impact they will have on the everyday lives of Munich citizens.

For more information on MVG's current developments and testing phases, visit the articles on tz, MVG and PwC.