ViaVan has received the UITP Award in the category of Public and Urban Transport Strategy Service for its innovative BerlKönig deployment in Berlin, in partnership with Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe. This prize is awarded every two years by the World Association of Public Transport Companies.
Launched in September 2018, the BerlKönig serves as a complement and extension to existing public transport in Berlin. It provides Berliners with an efficient, affordable and convenient on-demand shared public mobility service. It has provided more than 650,000 shared rides while reducing vehicle miles travelled by more than 143,000km as compared to private vehicle trips.
“We are honored that UITP has recognised the impact that smart, shared solutions like BerlKönig can have to reduce single-occupancy vehicles on the roads when integrated into the public transport system,” said Chris Snyder, CEO of ViaVan.
ViaVan’s technology seamlessly matches multiple passengers into a shared vehicle through the BerlKönig mobile app. Through the use of virtual bus stops and corner-to-corner pickup, unnecessary vehicle detours are minimised, reducing empty vehicle miles and added carbon emissions.
