Authorized healthcare workers will be asked to provide documentation to register for the service. ViaVan

ViaVan and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) are partnering to transform the BerlKönig, Berlin's on-demand shared ride service, into a dynamic public transit service for Berlin's essential healthcare workers during the coronavirus public health crisis.

From March 25 to April 19, the BerlKönig will suspend regular operations, and the service will exclusively provide free on-demand rides for medical and nursing staff during night-time hours. Authorized healthcare workers will be asked to provide documentation to register for the service.

During this time, the BerlKönig will operate from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. in an expanded zone, transporting workers during shift changes when and where transport is needed most. The service area includes the entire S-Bahn ring and an extension to the city outskirts to include additional hospitals. Rides will be limited to three passengers per vehicle, to allow for proper social distancing, in line with public health recommendations.

Faced with the current crisis, cities and public transit authorities across the world are actively seeking flexible mobility solutions to help critical employees get to work safely. The partnership between ViaVan and BVG demonstrates how technology-enabled solutions can swiftly step in to utilize existing infrastructure to provide  safe, reliable, and efficient mobility services for essential workers, while complementing existing public transit systems.

ViaVan is partnering with municipalities, public transit agencies, healthcare organizations and nonprofits around the world to help utilize existing transit infrastructure during this time of emergency. ViaVan’s services include consulting to help quickly optimize transit networks to address immediate needs, and technology and operational expertise to help get essential workers where they need to go, and to bring goods, pharmaceuticals, and services to people — where they are.