Germany
Berlin
UMR Index Rank
#7
(+3)
Score: 65%
Sustainable Mobility
#11
(=)
Score: 63.2%
Public Transit
#7
(+3)
Score: 68.5%
Technology Adoption
#26
Score: 46.5%
| Population | 3.9 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 3,743 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 1,050 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 49,945 |
UMR Index Rank
#7
(+3)
Score: 65%
Sustainable Mobility
#11
(=)
Score: 63.2%
Public Transit
#7
(+3)
Score: 68.5%
Technology Adoption
#26
Score: 46.5%
What Berlin Does Well In Urban Mobility
Berlin ranks seventh in the latest Urban Mobility Readiness Index thanks to its diverse and accessible public transit system. The German capital’s multimodal selection of options are relatively affordable because of the national government’s Deutschland Ticket, which lets commuters use local mass transit for roughly €49 ($53) per month. The subway, or U-Bahn, encompasses 146 kilometers (91 miles) of lines and 173 stations. Operating hours are extensive, with most lines closed only between 1am and 4am on weekdays and open around the clock on weekends.
Berlin performs relatively well on road safety, partly due to its cycling infrastructure and car-free zones. The Berliner cycle path network keeps growing, although the pace slowed from 31 kilometers (19 miles) built in 2020 to 22 kilometers (14 miles) in 2023.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index, Sustainable Mobility, Public Transit, and Technology Adoption scores
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
Challenges And Opportunities For Berlin’s Transportation System
Despite its strong and affordable public transit system, Berlin’s ridership is lower than that of other top performers in the index. The city’s sizable sprawl and low station density can make it difficult for some residents to reach public transit stops. One of Berlin’s public transit operators partnered with a tech firm in 2022 to launch an on-demand public transport offering in East Berlin, which helps residents connect to transit hubs more easily.
Berlin lags behind many of its European counterparts in its adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), with fewer charging stations and a lower EV market share in sales. Like Munich, Berlin’s EV sales suffered after the federal government rolled back incentives at the end of 2023 due to budget shortfalls.
Dimensions of the Urban Mobility Readiness Index score
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley
How Berlin Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
While Berlin is home to a strong public transit system, some residents have long walks to stations. To improve station density and encourage ridership, the city can add more stops along its existing bus and tram routes — a cost-effective improvement that would benefit residents. Adding bus lines is another relatively simple solution to reach underserved areas of the city. Expanding the on-demand public transport offered in East Berlin to other parts of the city can also be a solution. Adding new metro stations will be key to building out Berlin’s public transit offering, but that will be a timely and expensive undertaking. The planned extension of metro line seven to Schönefeld, an area southeast of the city center with a growing residential population, is a step in the right direction.
Berlin’s performance on electrification can be improved. With the national government debating EV purchase incentives throughout 2024, Berlin can also look to expand its EV charging network, which is less developed than its peers’. Berlin can build on the WELMO funding program that is meant to restart in December 2024 and develop public-private partnerships to support private companies that install charging stations. Authorities also can offer more tax breaks or other subsidies for companies that install chargers and set aside land for construction.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley