Smarter Mobility for Burgenland: Padam Mobility and Hacon deliver software for the new BAST app

What used to take a phone call now takes only a few taps on a smartphone screen: booking an on-demand trip via the new BAST app. The new on-demand app has been live for several weeks now - a crucial step toward accessible, modern mobility for the entire region. 

The app, developed by Hacon and Padam Mobility, marks a new chapter for the mobility service BAST - Burgenländisches Anruf-Sammeltaxi, the region's existing Call-a-Shuttle service. The app was officially launched on 12 November 2025 and allows passengers to book their journeys more independently and conveniently.

Future Extension Plans 

The project aims to expand the existing AST (shared shuttle) system to cover the entire province, creating a comprehensive network that can bridge gaps in rural and suburban mobility. As part of this evolution, all booking and dispatch tools currently in use are being replaced with a unified, modern Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution provided by Hacon and Padam Mobility. 

This is where our technical expertise comes into play: a multilingual, multi-client booking and dispatch platform designed for demand-responsive transport. Built on a highly available system architecture, it supports stable 24/7 operation, which is essential for a service used on a daily basis.

A Complement to Public Transport

One of the most thoughtful aspects of BAST is how naturally it fits into Burgenland’s existing mobility landscape. The on-demand vehicles do not operate in isolation but complement regular bus routes. In the mornings, for example, they function as feeders to scheduled services, helping passengers make seamless connections. With 60 vehicles planned, BAST is on track to become Austria’s largest on-demand mobility project.

Partnership-driven Innovation

For Verkehrsbetriebe Burgenland, the operator behind BAST, the shift to digital on-demand mobility is a clear milestone. Managing Director Wolfgang Werderits highlights the convenience for passengers and the meaningful addition to the public transport offer. His colleague Johannes Jandrisevits points to the broader vision: mobility that is climate-friendly, citizen-oriented, and better aligned with how people actually move through their daily lives.

From the perspective of Hacon and Padam Mobility, the project represents the best of partnership-driven innovation. Devina Pasta, CEO of Siemens Mobility Software, sums it up: “The BAST app demonstrates how our software enhances passenger experience by enabling seamless intermodal door-to-door transport. The new digital offering makes sustainable mobility in Burgenland more accessible and flexible. [...]”. 

A Milestone for the Austrian Mobility Landscape and Beyond

BAST also integrates public transport information from Verkehrsauskunft Österreich (VAO) - an intermodal timetable system developed by Hacon. This ensures that users can understand how their BAST trip fits into the wider mobility network. A service that will further improve the user experience.

The digitisation and expansion of BAST is more than just a technical upgrade – it is an investment in accessible, flexible, and sustainable public mobility. With its largest on-demand initiative to date, Burgenland is setting an example for regions throughout Austria and beyond.

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