Urban mobility has taken a significant leap forward with the introduction of goFlux Mobility’s innovative carpooling solution in Hamburg. Collaborating with Airbus and the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV), the initiative integrates private car usage into the public transportation system, creating a scalable model that redefines commuting. In just a few months, this initiative has demonstrated its potential to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainability.
Hamburg’s commuting challenges
Airbus employs over 17,000 workers in Hamburg, many of whom commute to the Finkenwerder plant. With limited public transport options and frequent traffic jams, especially during shift changes, the commute poses significant challenges. Traditional bus lines, have struggled to meet demand efficiently, necessitating innovative solutions.
To address these issues, the HVV introduced an enhanced public transport offer which includes a carpooling solution powered by goFlux Mobility (part of Karos Mobility). The carpooling system’s integration with HVV’s public transport climate ticket programme enhances its appeal and effectively broadens mobility options for users.
goFlux Mobility carpooling
The goFlux Mobility app offers a seamless way for Airbus employees to organise carpools based on commuting schedules and roles as drivers or passengers. This initiative is part of a broader mobility strategy, which includes the launch of the XpressBus line 46, designed to improve accessibility to Airbus’ facilities.
Since its launch with Airbus in March 2024, the carpooling initiative has achieved remarkable milestones, in the last week of November, achieving 10,000 carpooling trips.
Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks praised the project as a “great revolution,” underscoring its potential to transform urban mobility[1]. The HVV plans to monitor usage trends and explore expansion opportunities, aiming to replicate the model with other companies and regions.
Impact and scalability
The success of the goFlux Mobility initiative in Hamburg demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of integrating private car usage into public transport systems. The anticipated long-term benefits of carpooling include reduced traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and fostering a sense of community among co-workers.
The model’s adaptability makes it applicable to other regions and industries, promising widespread impact. Similar successes have been observed in cities like Bonn, where over 10,000 carpools have taken place, and Ingolstadt, which avoided 20 tonnes of CO₂ emissions through 1,000 carpools in just four months. Within Germany, goFlux is also represented in the Aachen region, the city of Frankfurt and from 2025, in the district of Ilm-Kreis. These examples highlight the scalability and environmental potential of such initiatives.
A blueprint for future mobility
The goFlux Mobility initiative in Hamburg exemplifies how public-private partnerships can revolutionise urban mobility. Transport associations across Germany are now exploring similar partnerships with employers and mobility startups to replicate this success. By leveraging technology and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, this project addresses critical challenges such as traffic congestion, environmental sustainability, and commuter satisfaction. The integration of carpooling into existing public transport frameworks is poised to become a cornerstone of modern mobility strategies.
As part of EIT Urban Mobility projects, Karos Mobility (parent company of goFlux Mobility) piloted their carpooling solution in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain in 2023 and is currently piloting in Turin as part of the Targeted call project MoTo.
[1] Wolgang Horch, ‘Airbus: Kollegen im Auto mitnehmen – der HVV bezahlt es’, Hamburger Abendblatt, 13 March 2024.
