Exploring Berlin: The Apps and Downs of Digital Mobility
As one of Europe’s most bustling metropolises, getting around Berlin efficiently is crucial for both residents and visitors. Fortunately, the city offers a plethora of mobility apps that make navigating its streets, public transport, and bike lanes a breeze. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most popular and innovative mobility apps that are transforming the way people move around Berlin.
TLDR; it’s not all plain sailing.
BVG Fahrinfo Plus
The BVG Fahrinfo Plus app is the official app of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Berlin’s main public transport company. This app is a must-have for anyone using Berlin’s extensive public transport network, which includes buses, trams, U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (urban trains), and even the ferries which criss-cross the lakes in the outer reaches of the city.
Key Features:
- Real-Time Information: Get up-to-date information on departure times, delays, and disruptions.
- Route Planning: Plan your journey with detailed route options, including walking distances and transfer times.
- Ticket Purchase: Buy and store tickets directly in the app, including single tickets, day passes, and monthly subscriptions.
- Accessibility: Information on barrier-free routes and facilities for passengers with reduced mobility.
However:
The BVG’s marketing has, in recent years, highlighted the general opinion that their service is, well, a bit shit but, allegedly, they love us anyway. The app doesn’t really live up to these low expectations.
Recent complaints include the fact that departures from a stop are no longer displayed, walking routes can no longer be combined with train journeys when planning and – the biggest annoyance – tickets that have already been purchased are no longer displayed in the app and can therefore no longer be used.
The update at the end of July 224 was more than just an update; the BVG Fahrinfo app had been “redeveloped from scratch”, a BVG spokesperson told the popular SUPER.MARKT website.
Improved performance, new functions such as disruption reports for individual public transport connections, which can be subscribed to as push notifications with just a few clicks, or connections and departures in real time should upgrade the app after the update “to a very personal mobility companion,” according to the press release issued by BVG for the app relaunch.
The app was subjected to an extensive beta test with several thousand users over a period of several months. But “even during an extended test phase, it is unfortunately not always possible to identify all bugs immediately,” explained the BVG spokesperson. “However, these will of course be successively taken into account by the developers.”
Yeah, right. Try explaining that to the void of humanity that is the common or garden BVG ticket inspector. Simply put, tickets which have been legitimately purchased but are not displayed can lead to an immediate €60 fine, a brush with the cops or a lengthy battle through the courts.
With quite some justification, many users consider this sparkly improvement to be a turn for the worse.
Airports, Transit. Can we Get Anything Right?
Refreshingly, there are apps out there which make zipping around Berlin an absolute breeze. These are a couple of our trusty, first-screen favourites.
Jelbi
Jelbi is an all-in-one mobility app which integrates various modes of transport into a single platform. Whether you need a bike, scooter, car, or public transport, Jelbi has you covered.
Key Features:
- Multi-Modal Integration: Access bikes, e-scooters, car-sharing, ride-hailing, and public transport all in one app. (The tickets have never caused us any grief.)
- Seamless Payments: Pay for different modes of transport with a single account. PayPal will do the trick.
- Station Finder: Locate nearby Jelbi stations where you can switch between different transport options.
- Sustainability: Encourages the use of eco-friendly transport options to reduce our carbon footprint.
Lime
Lime is an established e-scooter and bike-sharing app that has gained significant traction in Berlin. It’s perfect for short trips and offers a fun and eco-friendly way to explore the city.
Key Features:
- Easy Rentals: Find and unlock e-scooters and bikes with just a few taps.
- Flexible Pricing: Pay per minute or choose from various subscription plans.
- Safety Features: In-app tutorials and safety tips to ensure a safe ride.
- Coverage: Extensive network of scooters and bikes available throughout Berlin.
- Hot-Tip: Park your steed responsibly and don’t become the most hated person in the city.
Miles Carsharing
Miles Carsharing is a Berlin-based carsharing service that differentiates itself with a unique pricing model and a focus on user convenience. Unlike traditional car rental services that charge by the minute, Miles charges by the distance traveled, making it an attractive option for those who prefer a more predictable and often more affordable pricing structure.
What’s So Good About Miles Carsharing?
- Distance-Based Pricing: Miles Carsharing’s most distinctive feature is its distance-based pricing model. Users are charged based on the kilometers driven rather than the time spent stuck in traffic. This can be particularly advantageous for longer trips where time-based charges would quickly add up.
- Wide Range of Vehicles: Miles offers a diverse fleet of vehicles to suit different needs. Whether you need a compact car for city driving, a larger vehicle for a family outing, or a van for moving items, Miles has you covered. The variety ensures that users can find the right vehicle for any occasion.
- Flexible Rentals: With Miles, you can start and end your rental anywhere within the designated business area. This flexibility means you don’t have to worry about returning the car to a specific location, making it ideal for spontaneous trips and errands.
- Easy-to-Use App: The Miles app is user-friendly and intuitive. It allows you to locate and reserve vehicles, unlock and lock the car, and manage your rental all from your smartphone. The app also provides detailed information about each vehicle, including fuel level and cleanliness.
- Sustainable Mobility: Miles is committed to sustainability. The company offsets the carbon emissions of its fleet and encourages users to drive responsibly. Additionally, the availability of electric vehicles in their fleet supports eco-friendly transportation choices.
Getting Up To Speed With Miles
The app is pretty good with a step-by-step guide to the relatively easy registration process, and it is worth bearing in mind that you will need to upload a pic of your driving licence. We think that that is not altogether unreasonable, considering the fact that you’ll be a couple of taps away from the keys to fifty grand’s worth of precious metal.
Miles Carsharing offers a practical, flexible, and cost-effective solution for getting around Berlin. Whether you’re a resident needing a car for occasional use or a visitor exploring the city, Miles provides a seamless and user-friendly experience. By embracing innovative features and a customer-centric approach, Miles Carsharing reckons that it is redefining urban mobility in Berlin. It is hard to disagree, so long as the beers are a no-no.
Even though we are still reluctant to place our faith in the BVG app, our transit system is, in our opinion, pretty damned good. And while tickets are available in most stations and trams, and in many Spätis, it is always worth getting a fistful before embarking upon an epic weekend of sightseeing or clubbing.
For everything else, there’s a Miles. (Even if their branding livery is “enhanced” on a regular basis…)
