In future, Muva buses can no longer only be used if an elevator is missing or defective at a station.
© dpa
People with limited mobility will be able to use the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) on-call bus service as a so-called lift replacement throughout the city from March.
As the company announced, the area of operation of the BVG Muva will be extended to the entire AB fare zone. However, another service for people with restricted mobility will be discontinued.
Until now, the "lift substitute" could only be used if an elevator was missing or defective at a station. In future, disabled people, senior citizens, passengers with walking frames, baby carriages or small children will also be able to book the on-call bus if, for example, a long walk would be necessary or if a bus route is very crowded. Another new feature is that the BVG Muva can also be used for direct journeys between bus stops within a radius of five kilometers. The destination no longer necessarily has to be the nearest barrier-free station.
The barrier-free on-call bus can be booked up to seven days in advance by app or telephone. Anyone using the Muva as a substitute for an elevator needs a valid ticket from the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association, while the Muva "Flexible Ride" service, which serves less well-connected parts of the east of the city, is being discontinued. Although the service had worked well, passenger numbers and revenue had fallen short of expectations, it was reported.