FLEX

Pooling (or ride-pooling) means that several journey requests are combined into a single shared journey. With FLEX, this is handled by an algorithm that groups together journey requests with similar destinations or routes.

Passengers’ destinations are combined in the background to ensure journeys are as efficient as possible.
This means that if several people wish to travel in similar directions at around the same time, a shared route is planned.

A pooling buffer allows for slight deviations from an individual passenger’s original ideal route in order to pick up additional passengers whilst still ensuring a seamless journey for everyone.
For the individual passenger, this results in only minor detours.

The higher vehicle occupancy rate means fewer journeys are required – making the service more environmentally friendly and efficient.

Minibuses with up to 8 passenger seats operate in the FLEXlinie service areas.
Some vehicles are equipped with wheelchair spaces to assist passengers with reduced mobility.

The vehicles can be recognised by their dark blue colour and the light green elements bearing the FLEX logo.

Yes. In FLEX vehicles operating as minibuses, all passengers are required to wear a seatbelt.

No. The Ostbahnhof and Neuperlach Süd stops are both located within the Munich city limits and are therefore outside the regular FLEX service area for night services.

They are connected as ‘satellite stops’ to ensure connections to the underground, S-Bahn and Munich’s night transport services.

It is only possible

• to travel from the night-time service area to one of the two stops, or
• from one of these two stops back into the night-time service area.

A journey between Ostbahnhof and Neuperlach Süd is not possible.

Yes. Once you have registered, you can book the FLEX via the MVV app (Android/iOS), the MVV information service at www.mvv-auskunft.de, or by telephone on 089 – 41 42 43 44.

It is recommended that the person booking the journey travels on the journey themselves.
This ensures that all important information – e.g. map view, live view of the vehicle and current departure times – is directly available when booking via the app.

When booking by phone or online, any changes to departure or arrival times will be sent to the email address provided.

If booking by phone, you should wait at the boarding stop a few minutes before the specified departure time, as live tracking of the vehicle is not available in this case.

Ideally – if there is a vehicle available nearby – your journey can begin just a few minutes after booking.

In principle, the FLEX can also be booked for other people.
When boarding, you must state the first name of the registered person whose account was used to book the journey.

It is also possible to book a shared journey for several people via a single account, provided the same pick-up and drop-off points are used.

However, we recommend that the passenger books the journey themselves, as all important information – e.g. map view, pick-up location, live view of the vehicle and current departure times – is directly available in the app.

When booking by phone or online, changes to departure and arrival times are sent to the email address provided.

Yes. As well as last-minute bookings, FLEX also allows you to book up to 7 days in advance.
You can also set up recurring bookings. At present, these can only be arranged by telephone and can be set up for a maximum of 6 months in advance.

Yes. You can use the FLEX service at no extra cost with valid MVV tickets for the relevant fare zone.
This means that passengers with an MVV season ticket (e.g. weekly ticket, monthly ticket, Deutschlandticket, etc.) do not need an additional ticket and can use the FLEX service with their existing ticket.

The short-distance rule does not apply on the FLEX.

Yes, but there is only a limited range of tickets available, which you can purchase from the train crew.

FLEX is a flexible on-demand service that operates without a fixed timetable.
Once a booking has been made, passengers can travel flexibly between their pick-up and drop-off points within the service areas.

An algorithm groups together journey requests with similar routes and calculates the most efficient route for all passengers involved.

The departure time shown is not final. FLEX uses a pooling buffer that allows for minor adjustments to the route in order to pick up additional passengers whilst still ensuring a seamless journey.

As a result, the time initially stated – for example, 18:00 – may change slightly. If additional passengers book a similar journey and are allocated to the same vehicle, the departure time may be brought forward or pushed back by up to 5 minutes. In the example, this means: no earlier than 17:55, no later than 18:05.

In the MVV app, you can track the FLEX’s current location in real time from around 15 minutes before departure.

The estimated departure time from your chosen starting point is displayed immediately upon booking.

As this time may change due to further bookings, the current departure time can be viewed at any time in the MVV app. From around 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, the app also displays the current location of the FLEX vehicle in real time.

FLEX uses an algorithm that combines all passengers’ destinations to make journeys as efficient as possible. A pooling buffer allows for slight deviations from the originally planned route so that additional passengers can be picked up along the way.

These route adjustments may result in slight changes to the departure times for other passengers.

As the FLEX may pick up additional passengers en route, the arrival time originally quoted may be slightly earlier or later.

However, if the FLEX is booked as part of a journey involving a change to an S-Bahn or regional train, the arrival times are fixed. The arrival at the station cannot be delayed, so that the departure time of the connecting train is not missed.

The same applies in reverse: when changing from an S-Bahn or regional train to the FLEX, the FLEX’s departure time is fixed. It will not be brought forward if the FLEX has been booked as part of a journey chain.

The current departure time for the FLEX can be viewed at any time in the MVV app under ‘My bookings’. From around 15 minutes before the scheduled departure, the app also displays the FLEX vehicle’s location in real time.

If you book by phone or online, any changes to departure and arrival times will be sent by email to the address on file.

Children can use FLEX. The MVV fare applies to them, without the short-distance rule. Children under the age of 6 travel free of charge and do not require a ticket, but must be specified as an additional passenger when booking to ensure a seat is allocated. Children not yet of school age must be accompanied by someone aged 6 or over.

For minors, it is recommended that the accompanying adult makes the booking themselves so that all important information – such as the map view, live view of the vehicle and current departure times – is directly available.

The legal requirement for child seats applies in the minibuses. A maximum of two child seats are available per vehicle; this requirement must be specified at the time of booking. For infants who are too small for a child seat, you must bring your own baby carrier. Transport in a pushchair is not permitted. A folded pushchair can be stored in the vehicle’s luggage compartment.

FLEX vehicles are suitable for transporting people with reduced mobility. There is also space in the boot for pushchairs and luggage.

Please specify your requirements when booking so that the vehicles can be allocated and equipped accordingly.

Dogs are generally not permitted on board. Exceptions are made only for guide dogs, service dogs or dogs carried in suitable carriers. This rule is designed to protect and show consideration for the crew and other passengers.