In 2024, BVG Jelbi celebrated its 5th anniversary as Berlin’s all-in-one multi-modal and fully integrated MaaS (Mobility as a Service) platform.
Background
Berlin’s problem is citizens' high dependency on private vehicles. BVG was trying to solve that problem by unifying all mobility services into a single platform, providing a feasible alternative to private car usage. The solution emerged as an all-in-one MaaS app, powered by Trafi, where users can seamlessly find, book, and pay for services.
Timeline
2018: Initial discussions between Trafi and BVG about a MaaS system.
2019: Launch of a pilot project within the shortest possible period - 6 months.
2021: Trafi wins the official tender from BVG to continue operating Jelbi.
A closer look into the Jelbi app
Jelbi offers a fully integrated experience, allowing users to plan, book, and pay for trips without switching between different apps.
The MaaS app started with 5 Mobility Service Providers (MSPs) and has grown to include 10, covering various transport types such as public transport, ridesharing, car sharing, bike sharing, and scooter sharing.
The app offers such features as:
Multi-modal journey planning
Intermodal routing
Personalization filter
Ticketing and popular payment options
Driver’s license verification
Mobility hubs*
Vouchers
in-app user communication
*Jelbi Mobility Hubs: We distinguish between Jelbi stations and Jelbi points. While Jelbi points only offer two-wheeled options like bike and scooter sharing, Jelbi stations also provide car sharing. Both types of locations facilitate seamless vehicle rental, return, and charging, thereby enhancing connectivity and convenience throughout Berlin.
Challenges
Introducing new technology, such as the MaaS app, and gaining user acquisition took time. Initially, Jelbi was not heavily promoted, but its potential soon became evident.
Constant collaboration between BVG and Trafi involved significant effort, including managing third-party impacts, stakeholder management, and navigating the political environment, which challenged but also bonded the teams.
Consolidation of MSPs due to the relatively “young” market.
Impact
39,000 vouchers claimed in 2023*
13 integrated mobility services - which is 90% of Berlin’s all-shared mobility offering
3 pilot mobility budgets programs - in 2024, Jelbi introduced flexible mobility budgets for companies to encourage shared mobility over private car usage
*Source: Voucherify
Did You Know?
The name "Jelbi" comes from the Berlin dialect "Jelb" (pronounced "Gelb"), meaning "Yellow."
The Jelbi app currently includes 70,000 vehicles.
81% of Jelbi’s integrated vehicles are emission-free (electric).
There are over 230 mobility hubs all across Berlin - and the number will continue to grow.
In 5 years of operating, Jelbi reached 885,000 app downloads.
Looking Forward
As cities explore multi-modal journey planning solutions, the success of Jelbi demonstrates the effectiveness of long-term public-private partnerships. What’s your city’s plan for integrated mobility?
About
Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Germany’s biggest public transport company, is responding to the challenges of future urban travel with innovative strategies and cutting-edge technology. BVG wants to actively promote a new approach to travel by intelligently combining available ways of getting around to be the single source of mobility services for everyone.
Trafi is a Lithuanian B2G journey planning platform provider that aims to help cities with state-of-the-art journey planning solutions to tackle urban mobility challenges and achieve ambitious sustainability objectives.