2 min read

Flexa: The innovative solution that combines individual mobility with public transport

Oct 18, 2019 3:33:54 PM

Have you ever imagined being picked up close to your door by your public transportation system? From October on and until the 15th March 2020, it is possible for users living in the north of the city of Leipzig (Wiederitzsch, Breitenfeld and Lindenthal zones) with “Flexa”, the novel and flexible digital solution offer of the Leipzig public transport company.

In detail, “Flexa” is a six seats vehicle able to pick up users close to their houses and take them to their destination or the closest S-Bahn or Tram station. The offer is described as an almost door-to-door service. How does it exactly work? Users order their small bus (model Mercedes Vito, diesel) through the “Flexa” app or via phone and wait for the moment of being picked up and connected to the transportation lines of the city, everything paying the same 101 MDV public zone tariff.

The coding-based optimization solution was developed in cooperation with the Max Planck Institute that now has been inquired by other countries as Chile for future possible projects. It is to highlight that it is the first time worldwide that a dynamic ride pooling is integrated with suitable connections to public transport. Flexa makes it easily and comfortably to reach users in one of the 108 Flexa stops in the districts of Wiederitzsch, Breitenfeld, and Lindenthal, or the nearest tram stop to tram, bus or suburban train. The new service complements the local public transport network with 75 additional Flexa stops and is optimally integrated with transfer stops.

The main goal of this new mobility pilot project is to test the future of public transport and to complement the currently available public transportation users’ options, offering them a more comfortable and disruptive transport alternative and gaining some users’ insights for further development and optimization of the initiative.

 

Photos Source: l-blog.de

 

After launching the mobility App platform, the Leipzig public service company is aiming to keep being the user’s number one option at the moment of thinking about transportation means in the city. The public company is now directly cooperating with the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure as the entity which funds the pilot project as a part of the "Digitization of Municipal Transport Systems" program with an investment of 380,000 euros.

Flexa Summary:

Who can use it?

Users of the three north zones of Lindenthal, Wiederitzsch, and Breitenfeld.

When?

Daily from 6 a.m to midnight, on Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m on.

How can it be booked?

The inclusive new service allows users to either download the “Flexa” app or just call to book the next ride.

How does it work?

The buses stop at 108 stations. When booking, users can specify as start or finish any point in Leipzig or the rest of the MDV area, the next breakpoint is automatically determined and the exact location with a location description displayed when booking (at the pickup point there are no banks, shelter, and shield).

Further information about Flexa can be found here www.L.de/flexa

Clara Fischer

Written by Clara Fischer

Drop in a comment