Berlin Aims for Autonomous Public Transport by 2027

The BVG is pursuing approval for driverless vehicles while addressing challenges in modernizing its aging infrastructure.

The Berlin public transport operator BVG plans to secure approval for fully autonomous vehicles by 2027, in collaboration with Hamburg's Hochbahn and backed by federal funding.
Germany currently lacks any fully autonomous vehicles in public traffic, and the BVG aims to pioneer this technology in urban environments.
Partially automated U-Bahn trains are also being developed for the U3 and U5 lines, with features like automatic braking and acceleration to improve efficiency and capacity.
Modernizing Berlin's century-old transit infrastructure remains a significant hurdle for implementing both autonomous and partially automated systems.
Despite ongoing operational issues, including outdated vehicles and service delays, the BVG has stabilized reliability at 95–96% and continues to prioritize long-term technological advancements.