Hamburg has introduced the first HOLON autonomous urban minibus, a barrier-free vehicle designed to carry up to 15 passengers, as part of efforts to advance sustainable and inclusive public transport. Test operations will begin later this summer, with passenger services expected to start in 2026.
The vehicle, measuring five meters in length and capable of reaching 60 km/h, will initially undergo technical tests before its autonomous driving functions are gradually implemented. The project is supported under Hamburg’s ALIKE initiative, which is backed by €26 million in funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport.
“The HOLON urban marks a new phase in public transport,” said Robert Henrich, CEO of HOCHBAHN, Hamburg’s public transport operator. Flavio Friesen, Technical Manager at HOLON, called the deployment in Hamburg an important milestone in shaping the future of urban mobility.
The ALIKE project will also test Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD, operated by MOIA, to gather data on both vehicle performance and public acceptance. By 2026, a select group of passengers will be able to register for the service at hvv-switch.de. Hamburg plans to scale the program to up to 20 autonomous vehicles, with the long-term goal of integrating larger buses into regular public transport services.
Hamburg’s Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition, Anjes Tjarks, said the initiative underscores the city’s role as a European pioneer in autonomous driving. The project aims to set a blueprint for other German cities to follow, combining sustainability, efficiency, and accessibility in public transport systems.
