On-Demand Mobility Revolution in Rhine-Main: A Glimpse into the Autonomous Future
Demand-driven Shuttle Services in RMV: More Than Three Million Passengers Enjoy Flexible Transportation Options
The empire of on-demand mobility in the Rhine-Main transport association (RMV) is skyrocketing like a comet. Ever since the project was unveiled in 2020, over three million trips have been taken across the now ten local shuttle services. As of January 1, 2025, all services have merged into the regular public transport system. Approximately 150 electric vehicles run where conventional bus services are inefficient or scarce.
Simplified Booking with the RMV-wide App
A quantum leap towards user-friendly functionality was embarked upon with the debut of the RMV-wide app "OnDemand@RMV". This booking platform lets passengers effortlessly plan, book, and pay for their journeys digitally. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from users, according to RMV, the platform has garnered immense popularity [Reference omitted].
Expanding Service Areas
The offer keeps growing: Since the beginning of 2025, the "Colibri" shuttle is running not only in Hofheim but also in Eppstein. The "SiGGi" system in the Groß-Gerau district has also been broadened and now links Kelsterbach and Raunheim. The expansion of existing service areas and integration into local transport plans is fueling additional demand: In the first four months of this year, the number of new passengers increased by 13 percent compared to the same period last year.
The Allure of Flexibility in Off-Peak Times
On-demand shuttles displace underutilized bus lines in the late evening or off-peak hours, offering feeder services to train stations. They operate only when booked and pool together passengers with similar routes - a process known as pooling. The regular public transport fare, including the Germany ticket, applies to these on-demand services, with no comfort surcharge [Reference omitted].
Autonomous Driving and the Path Ahead
For the RMV, on-demand mobility serves as a cornerstone for the future of public transport. Managing Director Prof. Knut Ringat says, "The key to our ability to offer flexible mobility throughout the region in the coming decade, in addition to bus and train services, is autonomous driving technology"[Reference omitted]. Project KIRA, currently being tested, symbolizes this technological leap, operating Level 4 autonomous vehicles with passengers in live traffic within the Rhine-Main region[Reference omitted].
The RMV on-demand offer is under continuous development. Discussions with interested municipalities about new service areas are already in progress.
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The Project KIRA: A Driving Force for Autonomous Mobility
The Project KIRA is Germany's pioneering initiative to operate Level 4 autonomous vehicles with passengers in live road traffic, offering flexible on-demand transportation services in both urban and rural areas within the Rhine-Main region [1][3][5].
The project is led by Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Transport and the State of Hesse [3]. The test operation is initially scheduled until the end of 2025, with a planned extension [3].
In the long run, the goal is to make autonomous driving a standard operation across Germany, enhancing public transport services, especially in rural areas. This includes deploying autonomous vehicles that can operate 24/7, offering flexible, on-demand transportation by the 2030s [3]. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of autonomous mobility in improving people's quality of life by providing convenient and accessible transportation solutions [3].
What is the driving force for autonomous mobility in the Rhine-Main region? The Project KIRA is a pioneering initiative, led by Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Rhein-Main-Verbindungsverbund (RMV), aimed at operating Level 4 autonomous vehicles for on-demand transportation services in both urban and rural areas. This project, which has financial support from the Federal Ministry for Transport and the State of Hesse, is a cornerstone for the future of public transport, with the goal of making autonomous driving a standard operation across Germany, particularly in rural areas, by the 2030s. The test operation is initially scheduled until the end of 2025, with a planned extension [1][3][5].
