ViaVan, the joint venture between Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans, announced a new partnership with Berlin’s public transit authority, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) to launch the largest public sector deployment of on-demand shuttle service anywhere in the world, with a fleet of up to 300 vehicles.

The new BVG-ViaVan service will utilize Via’s sophisticated algorithm to dynamically route state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz vehicles, allowing passengers to seamlessly book a shared van through a custom BVG app. ViaVan is working closely with regulators and the public transportation experts at BVG to design, develop, and operate the service. The service will launch in Berlin in spring of 2018, pending final regulatory approval.

The collaboration with BVG will utilize a variety of Mercedes-Benz vans specially optimized for shared rides including the new, all-electric eVito Tourer, which be the first emission-free minibus operating anywhere in the world.

“Via’s technology is redefining mobility across the globe. We are thrilled to be partnering with BVG on this bold new project to introduce the Via model of dynamically routed on-demand shared rides to Berlin on a mass scale. The new service is a perfect complement to traditional public transit solutions, offering a whole new way of getting around the city,” said Daniel Ramot, co-founder and CEO of Via.