Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb

What Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb does

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb GmbH (GKB) is a regional public transport operator headquartered in Graz, Austria, operating rail, bus, and micro-public transport services across Styria and parts of Carinthia. Founded in 1873 with the launch of the Wieserbahn line, the company runs S-Bahn lines S6, S7, and S61 connecting West Styria to Graz Central Station, alongside 23+ RegioBus lines in the Deutschlandsberg, Voitsberg, and Graz regions. Its micro-ÖV portfolio includes flux (42 municipalities, Graz area), SAM (60+ municipalities, Oststeiermark), LAVmobil (Lavanttal, Carinthia), and regioMOBIL (Südweststeiermark), all serving first/last-mile connectivity in rural areas. GKB also operates rail freight services, the Lieboch Railway Museum, and nostalgia/heritage train experiences.

The company's technology and infrastructure footprint centers on a multi-year electrification program: 133 km of overhead catenary (Phase 1: 46 km Wettmannstätten–Wies-Eibiswald), electronic interlockings at Lannach and Preding-Wieselsdorf, modernization of stations and halts, and the planned acquisition of 28 electric railcars by 2028. Electric operations commenced on the S6 line in August 2025. Ticket distribution runs through the integrated Verkehrsverbund Steiermark tariff (KlimaTicket, Top Ticket, Freizeit Ticket), the BusBahnBim app, and GKB service counters at Lieboch, Voitsberg, and Deutschlandsberg Stadt stations. The fleet was refreshed with 37 new MAN Low Entry buses (11.3M EUR).

GKB's business model is anchored on publicly commissioned mobility services. The core revenue stream is a 10-year traffic service contract (~696M EUR) with the Republic of Austria (BMK) and Land Steiermark, covering rail operations expanding from 1.8M to ~3M offer kilometers by 2028. Secondary streams include passenger fares under the Verbund tariff, bus service contracts (RegioBus, SAM, LAVmobil tenders won jointly with partners such as Dr. Richard and regional taxi operators), freight transport under SGV-Plus subsidies, and tourism revenue from the railway museum and heritage train experiences. Customer segments span commuters, students, leisure travelers, hospital-bound passengers (LKH Deutschlandsberg), and freight clients, with the public sector as the dominant paying counterparty.

Name

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb

Legal name

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb GmbH

Website

https://gkb.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb (GKB) is a publicly contracted Austrian regional mobility operator providing rail (S-Bahn lines S6/S7/S61), bus (RegioBus), and micro-ÖV (flux, SAM, LAVmobil, regioMOBIL) services across Styria and Carinthia, currently electrifying its 133 km rail network under a ~696M EUR 10-year public service contract.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Service Contracts: Core revenue from 10-year traffic service contracts with the Republic of Austria (BMK - Federal Ministry for Climate Action) and Land Steiermark. For the GKB contract, approximately 696 million EUR is allocated over 10 years, with 216 million EUR from Land/Verkehrsverbund and the remainder from the Federal Government. Revenue covers rail operations expanding from 1.8 million to approximately 3 million offer kilometers.
2. Passenger Fares: Revenue from ticket sales for rail and bus services under the Verkehrsverbund Steiermark tariff system. Includes tickets sold at service counters in Lieboch, Voitsberg, and Deutschlandsberg Stadt stations, as well as online and app-based sales.
3. Freight Transport: Regional and supra-regional freight logistics services on rail. Subject to SGV-Plus subsidies for rail freight traffic in certain production forms in Austria 2023-2027.
4. Tourism Services: Revenue from specialty services including the Eisenbahnmuseum (Railway Museum) in Lieboch, nostalgic trips with the 'Roter Blitz' heritage train, coach travel offerings, and event-related transport services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb (GKB) is a regional public transport operator providing integrated rail, bus, and micro-public transport (Mikro-ÖV) services across Western Styria, the Styrian Central Region, and parts of Carinthia in Austria. The company runs S-Bahn rail lines (S6, S7, S61), RegioBus routes, and shared taxi services (flux, SAM, LAVmobil, regioMOBIL), complemented by rail freight logistics and heritage tourism offerings. GKB is undergoing a major electrification of its rail network (starting August 2025) and is funded primarily through 10-year public service contracts with the Austrian federal government and Land Steiermark.

Product overview

Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb GmbH (GKB) operates as an integrated mobility provider offering rail transport (Schienenpersonenverkehr), bus transport (Busverkehr), and micro-ÖV services (Mikro-Öffentlicher Verkehr). The core rail operations include S-Bahn services on western Styrian lines, while bus services encompass RegioBus routes across multiple districts. The micro-ÖV portfolio includes flux (shared taxi in Graz region), SAM (eastern Styria), LAVmobil (Carinthia), and regioMOBIL (southwestern Styria). Additional offerings comprise freight transport, a railway museum, heritage train experiences, and travel bus services. The company is undergoing electrification of its rail network, transitioning from diesel to electric operations by 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• flux: Regional shared taxi service operating since July 1, 2024, serving 42 municipalities in the districts of Graz, Graz-Umgebung, and Voitsberg as a micro-public transport offering.
• regioMOBIL
• SAM (Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark)
• LAVmobil

Products and services

• S-Bahn Steiermark Rail Passenger Transport Suburban railway network connecting Graz Hauptbahnhof with Wies-Eibiswald (S6/S61) and Köflach (S7); 650+ daily connections; functions as feeder to Koralmbahn international services.
• RegioBus Bus Passenger Transport Regional bus services in Voitsberg, Deutschlandsberg, Leibnitz, Graz Südwest, and Graz Südost districts; 23 lines in Deutschlandsberg region alone; over 120,000 daily offer kilometers; includes school transport and direct connections to facilities such as LKH Deutschlandsberg.
• flux — Regional Shared Taxi (Mikro-ÖV) Regional shared taxi service operating in 42 municipalities in the Styrian central region; on-demand mobility for first/last-mile connectivity; reached 100,000th passenger in June 2026 with 75,500+ trips and over 1 million km traveled; 4,100+ registered users with ~90% satisfaction.
• SAM (Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark) On-demand shared taxi system in eastern Styria operating in over 60 municipalities, functioning as a feeder service to bus and rail connections. Operated by GKB as consortium partner with Retter GmbH and Taxi Temmel GmbH.
• LAVmobil — Mikro-ÖV in Carinthia Call-a-bus Mikro-ÖV service in eastern Carinthia covering the municipalities of Frantschach-St. Gertraud, Wolfsberg, and St. Andrä im Lavanttal; EUR 5.00 base fare up to 5 km plus EUR 1.50 per additional km.
• regioMOBIL — Mikro-ÖV for South-West Styria Micro-public transport solution for rural areas in southwestern Styria off main transport corridors; developed in cooperation with regional municipalities to provide mobility outside the regular rail and bus network.
• Rail Freight Transport and Logistics Regional and supra-regional rail freight logistics services, eligible for SGV-Plus subsidies for rail freight traffic in Austria (2023–2027).
• Eisenbahnmuseum (Railway Museum) Lieboch Technical railway museum in Lieboch showcasing historical railway equipment and operating special nostalgic train rides including the 'Roter Blitz' (Red Lightning) heritage train.
• Erlebnis Nostalgie — Heritage Travel Experiences Heritage and nostalgia travel experiences including special trips with historic rolling stock (notably the 'Roter Blitz') for tourism and event purposes.
• Reisebusangebot (Travel Bus Services) Charter and travel bus services for group transportation, excursions, and tourism.
• Öffi-Tourenbuch Styria — Public Transport Hiking Guide Tourism guide combining printed book and digital content via QR codes with detailed route descriptions, current schedule suggestions, photos and downloadable GPX tracks; produced with 'Bahn zum Berg' and 'Protect Our Winters Austria'.
• GKB-INFO — Passenger Information Service Real-time passenger information function on the GKB homepage providing service restriction updates for rail and bus operations during normal hours and events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Passenger numbers expected to double through electrification and service expansion by 2028
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ÖBB-Infrastruktur AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationInfrastructure operator responsible for electrification construction (133 km of catenary), modernization of railway crossings, and coordination of construction schedules affecting GKB operations.
• Verkehrsverbund SteiermarkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransport association coordinates ticketing, tariffs, schedules, and service planning across all Styrian public transport. GKB participates under the S-Bahn Steiermark brand.
• Dr. Richard W. & Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBus company partner operating RegioBus lines in Deutschlandsberg region alongside GKB. Won EU tender together with GKB for 23 bus lines starting July 2022.
• Fahrschule Mayer StainzminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTraining cooperation for bus driver licenses (Class D and D95). GKB supports employees in obtaining commercial driving licenses.
• Regionalmanagement Steirischer ZentralraumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development body collaborated on flux micro-ÖV launch and joint press releases celebrating service milestones.
• Bahn zum BergminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHiking association partnered on Öffi-Tourenbuch guide with 75 hiking routes accessible by public transport, published by KOMPASS Karten.
• Protect Our Winters AustriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partnered on Öffi-Tourenbuch to promote sustainable outdoor tourism accessible by public transport.
• ÖBB PersonenverkehrcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing railway partner in S-Bahn Steiermark network; coordination on schedules and connections; shared branding under S-Bahn umbrella.
• Retter GmbH / Taxi Temmel GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorConsortium partners for SAM (Sammeltaxi Oststeiermark) operations, providing regional taxi services as part of micro-ÖV network.
• Lebenshilfe Soziale Dienste GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization; GKB provided apartment in Söding for Ukrainian refugees supported by Lebenshilfe. Long-standing partnership for social responsibility initiatives.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Steiermarkbahn und Bus GmbH: Sister Styrian regional rail and bus operator running complementary lines (e.g., Gleichenbergbahn, thermenbahn) with the same Verkehrsverbund Steiermark tariff structure and similar micro-ÖV offerings; serves as the closest direct peer in scale and operating model to GKB.
• Wiener Lokalbahnen GmbH: Operates the Vienna-Baden regional tram/rail line (Badner Bahn) and integrated bus services in the Vienna metropolitan region under public-service contracts; another strong Austrian regional rail peer with combined rail + bus operations.
• Zillertaler Verkehrsbetriebe (Zillertalbahn): Tyrolean regional railway operating the Zillertalbahn steam and diesel narrow-gauge line plus regional bus services; similar heritage + commuter hybrid business model with public sector ownership structure.
• Salzburg AG (Pinzgauer Lokalbahn): Operates the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn regional railway and adjacent regional bus services in Salzburg under public-service contracts, comparable in size, multimodal offering and tariff integration with the Salzburger Verkehrsverbund.
• Niederösterreichische Verkehrsorganisations GmbH (NÖVOG): Lower-Austrian public regional rail and bus operator (Mariazellerbahn, Waldviertelbahn, Citybahn Waidhofen) commissioned by the Land Niederösterreich; structurally analogous to GKB in regional rail operation under long-term public-service contracts.
• Stern & Hafferl Verkehrsgesellschaft: Upper-Austrian regional rail (Lokalbahn Lambach-Vorchdorf-Eggenberg, Traunseetram) and bus operator with long-standing public service contract structure; directly comparable in business model and regional scale.

Others

• Dr. Richard W. & Co. (RegioBus Steiermark partner): Long-standing private bus partner that won EU-tendered RegioBus Steiermark lines jointly with GKB; comparable as a regional bus operator partner/competitor with overlapping tender exposure in the same geographic area.

Broad incumbents

• ÖBB-Personenverkehr AG: Austrian federal rail incumbent that jointly operates S-Bahn Steiermark with GKB and competes for larger regional concessions; a much larger broad-incumbent peer that overlaps with GKB on the S-Bahn branding and tariff coordination.
• Land Steiermark / Verkehrsverbund Steiermark: The transport authority/commissioner that contracts GKB and aggregates tariff/distribution; functions as the broad incumbent ecosystem (public authority scale) in which GKB competes for operating rights.

Regional players

• Verkehrsbetriebe Burgenland: Burgenland state public transport provider operating regional bus services under a Verkehrsverbund model; comparable in scale and contract structure but operating in a different Austrian federal state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gkb.at
• Instagraminstagram.com/gkb_at
• Xx.com/gkb_steiermark
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gkb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Graz-Köflacher Bahn und Busbetrieb