On-demand mobility goes one step further in the Alps

Andermatt is a Swiss region located near the border with Italy which has become popular in recent years as a winter sports and leisure area. At an altitude of 1,447 meters, it has just 1,500 inhabitants, so very low population density. Many inhabitants are workers who live in the valley area and require sustainable transportation to access the upper reaches where ski resort hotels and shops are located. Until now, in the absence of an alternative, they have been forced to use private vehicles for the daily commute.

Having launched three DRT operations in the past with Shotl (in Herzogenbuchsee, Ostermundigen and Emmental) and with the aim of meeting the transport needs of tourists and local workers alike, transport company mybuxi sought a sustainable and less polluting solution with lower environmental impact than constructing a car park.

This operation also represented an excellent opportunity to trial an on-demand transport system with 100% electric vehicles in a mountainous area. To promote and develop the project, mybuxi also participated together with Andermatt Swiss Alps, in the creation of the Alpine Mobility Association, which currently seeks to integrate local authorities and businesses to lower the price of tickets for users.

The 55 km² area of operations is divided into two main axes, one running north to south and another running east to west. Two 100% electric vehicles serve 70 virtual stops between 6:00 am and 00:30 am daily.

From the outset, Shotl and mybuxi’s main aim has been to provide good service and enhance the user experience. The operation was launched in just two months and, after 2 initial weeks of testing with a smaller audience in June, a three-month test began in July 2021. At the end of this period, the results will be evaluated, as will the needs and challenges that may arise as the demanding winter season approaches.