Germany
Munich
UMR Index Rank
#4
(+1)
Score: 66%
Sustainable Mobility
#6
(+1)
Score: 67.9%
Public Transit
#14
(+3)
Score: 61.1%
Technology Adoption
#18
Score: 51.8%
| Population | 1.9 million |
| Surface area (km2) | 482 |
| Population-density (people/km2) | 3,835 |
| GDP per capita ($) | 83,086 |
UMR Index Rank
#4
(+1)
Score: 66%
Sustainable Mobility
#6
(+1)
Score: 67.9%
Public Transit
#14
(+3)
Score: 61.1%
Technology Adoption
#18
Score: 51.8%
What Munich Does Well In Urban Mobility
Munich ranks fourth in this year’s Urban Mobility Readiness Index. The city has a well-developed and efficient public transit infrastructure, as well as connected and well-maintained roadways. In 2023, Munich expanded its low-emission zone to ban diesel cars that do not meet certain exhaust standards from entering the city center. The city has an ambitious plan to dedicate 80% of roadways to bicycles, public transport, and electric vehicles by 2035. This includes new cycle roads to connect the city center to the outskirts. In 2024, Munich also launched a new mobility data initiative as part of its Mobility Strategy 2035. The city is investing in better monitoring for shared mobility options like e-scooters, e-bikes, and bikes, with the aim of improving their efficiency, convenience, and accessibility.
The capital of Bavaria maintains a robust public transit system, with long metro and tram operating hours averaging 22 hours a day, affordable fares, and high levels of perceived safety. Affordable transit fares are in part due to the national government’s Deutschland Ticket, introduced in 2023, which lets commuters use all local mass transit offerings for €49 ($53) per month. In August 2023 the European Investment Bank and Germany’s HypoVereinsbank provided more than €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in credit for the S-Bahn. The commuter rail system will use the financing to buy 90 new trains, each with higher passenger capacity as well as new software improvements that will reduce maintenance and energy usage. Munich foresees these new trains commencing operations by 2028.
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 Munich’s Transportation System
Munich’s public transit system has been slow to implement innovations such as electrification and autonomous technologies. The city has few zero-emission buses and has been slow to adopt automated trains in the U-Bahn, or metro, and the S-Bahn. Since 2023 the city has been involved in the research project MINGA, which brings authorities together with research and business partners to explore automation potential in public transit. Research includes an on-demand and autonomous ride-pooling service and bus systems. Still, the city lags behind top performers in implementing these new technologies to improve public transit.
Munich performs less well on the density of its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the EV market share in sales. This is despite government incentives that subsidize charging infrastructure at 40% of net costs, up to €10,000 ($11,000) for charging stations with capacity over 22 kilowatts. However, as in Berlin, Munich’s EV sales have suffered since the federal government suddenly rolled back EV 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 Munich Can Improve Its Urban Mobility Performance
Munich can do more to limit car ownership given that it lags behind leading cities. The city can implement strategies to disincentivize car ownership, including more car-free zones. However, such changes need consumer buy- in. Residents have sued over previous projects because they did not feel sufficiently informed and involved in the efforts. Munich can involve residents in the planning process to get their feedback and support.
Munich’s EV charging network is still developing. To compete with leading cities, it will need to accelerate the deployment of charging stations. The city can close the gap by increasing investments in public charging stations and further subsidizing at-home station implementation. Munich has already prioritized investments in residential charging station infrastructure.
Urban Mobility Readiness Index relative ranking evolution (2020-2024)
Source: Oliver Wyman Forum and University of California, Berkeley