Zurich pilots on-demand service to plug public transport gaps

The City of Zurich and transit operator Zurich Public Transport (VBZ) have partnered with mobility firm ViaVan to launch the city’s first on-demand public transport service, Pikmi.

The 18-month pilot will see ViaVan provide on-demand shared services from 8pm to midnight, Monday-Sunday, to fill current gaps in public transport provision.

Passengers can book rides through the Pikmi app and pay by presenting a valid public transport ticket (which can be bought at kiosks or online through the VBZ app) to the driver.

Single tickets in the Swiss city are valid for a two-hour timeframe, so passengers can use the service in conjunction with other forms of public transport.

Speaking to Ci...