Munich plans to let passengers ride a self-driving city bus for the first time in November, and you can sign up now. The MVG trial on Line 178 is part of the MINGA research project, led by the city together with Stadtwerke München, MVG, MAN and 12 other partners.
Since early September an automated MAN Lion’s City 12 E has been running on Line 178 between Petuelring and Freimanner Hölzl, so far without passengers and with trained MAN and MVG test drivers on board. The technology comes from ADASTEC: five lidar units, six radars, eight cameras and satellite positioning. Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) granted the operating permit, and TÜV inspected the technology.
How do I get on board?
At first only selected test users can ride, a closed group. The bus runs as an additional vehicle on the existing line rather than replacing the regular service. To be considered, register at mvg.de/minga-anmeldung; you will be notified once rides become possible. MVG will announce the exact start separately, with November the plan. Whether rides will cost anything has not been stated in the announcements so far. The participation terms (version 08/2026) are linked on the sign-up page, and a FAQ is at muenchenunterwegs.de/minga/faq. The pages are in German, so use your browser’s translation if needed.
One thing to know: a safety driver stays on board for the whole project and can take over at any moment. The bus steers, accelerates, brakes and indicates by itself. “Umso wichtiger ist uns ein vorsichtiges, zurückhaltendes Fahrverhalten” (all the more important to us is cautious, restrained driving), said MAN test driver Marc Raudszus, referring to the size of the 12-metre vehicle. It has about 30 seats and space for a wheelchair or pram, which matters for parents and people with reduced mobility.
On Tuesday 3 November at 14:30 the city hosts a first press ride from Heidemannstraße 220; Mobility Councillor Georg Dunkel is taking part.
More than one bus
MINGA has several parts. In the Gern district three autonomous VW ID. Buzz vehicles are testing a ride-pooling service; they too are currently running without passengers and with safety drivers, and selected test users are to book via an app later. For Line 197 in Neuperlach, a platoon of two coupled buses is planned. The Federal Ministry of Transport funds the project with about €13 million, and it runs until mid-2027.
Editorial assessment: a very practical problem sits behind the pilot. MAN cites driver shortages and growing cities as reasons for automated buses. Riders will see no change to the regular timetable for now; the project is meant to show whether the technology holds up in dense urban traffic. Series production by the end of the decade, as MAN is aiming for, is a goal, not a commitment. The sources differ slightly on the route: the SWM press release gives Freimanner Hölzl as the terminus, while a photo caption in the SWM magazine says Kieferngarten. We follow the press release.
Sources: SWM/MVG press release, SWM: Projekt MINGA, Rathaus Umschau, MVG sign-up, Sustainable Bus
