Wupsi

What Wupsi does

Wupsi GmbH is a publicly owned (municipal) mobility operator headquartered in Leverkusen-Fixheide, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, jointly owned since 1975 by the City of Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis. The company operates an integrated mobility platform built around a scheduled bus network of 80 lines serving over 700 stops across roughly 1,210 km of route length, with the fleet covering approximately 10 million km and transporting over 30 million passengers per year. Adjacent to the bus core, wupsi operates wupsiRad (bicycle sharing with 600+ bikes across 100+ stations, including e-bikes and cargo bikes), wupsiCar (electric carsharing), and infrastructure such as the Fahrradparkhaus Opladen and 19 EU-cofunded mobility stations in the RBK region, all reachable through the wupsiApp and eezy.nrw check-in/check-out ticketing. The revenue model is a hybrid of subscription and usage-based fare revenue (Deutschlandticket at €63/month, eezy.nrw distance-based, single/monthly/24h tickets under the new June 2026 Rheinlandtarif), supplemented by charter bus rentals (5 Mercedes-Benz/MAN coaches), carsharing fees, bicycle sharing fees, and bus advertising.

Customer-facing technology includes GPS-equipped buses with on-board ticket printers (since 2011), an electronic entry-control system with color-coded chip-card validators, dynamic passenger information displays at stops, and mobile app-based journey planning. Wupsi holds regulated ÖPNV service contracts with its two municipal owners — most recently a 10-year concession secured in 2025 — which function as the economic backbone of the business. The company is in the middle of a fleet-electrification program (56 e-buses deployed by 2025, full transition targeted for 2034) and has expanded beyond traditional bus services since 2019 to position itself as a multimodal mobility provider, including a 12/2022 launch of 'efi', its on-demand transport service. Wupsi wholly owns the acquired subsidiary Herweg Busbetrieb GmbH (HBB, acquired in 2000), and is led by sole managing director Marc Kretkowski, in office since April 2006.

Name

Wupsi

Legal name

wupsi GmbH

Website

https://wupsi.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Wupsi GmbH is a municipally owned mobility operator in Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, Germany, providing scheduled bus transport (80 lines, 700+ stops), carsharing (wupsiCar), bike sharing (wupsiRad), and bicycle parking for commuters, students, and visitors, with ticketing and journey planning via the wupsiApp.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Bus Transportation & Urban Mobility

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), School and Employee Bus Transportation (4854), Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599), Passenger Car Rental (532111)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Bus Network Operators (THAIAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shared Mobility Operations & Fleet Services (Charging/Swapping, Rebalancing, Maintenance) (TLAFAMAJ), Electric Bus & Coach Leasing/Rental (Battery-Electric) (TLABADAI), Corporate/University/Fleet-Based Carsharing (TLAFAMAD)

Keywords

• Public bus transport
• Urban mobility services
• Bicycle sharing system
• Carsharing services
• Multimodal transit platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Leverkusen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public transport ticket sales: wupsi generates revenue through the sale of single tickets, day tickets, monthly passes, and subscription tickets (Deutschlandticket, Schülerticket, Jobticket, Monatsticket) for bus travel across its service area.
2. wupsiRad bicycle sharing: Revenue from bicycle rental at over 100 stations in Leverkusen, including regular bicycles, e-bikes, and cargo bikes (Lastenräder).
3. wupsiCar carsharing: Revenue from carsharing fleet in Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, offering electric cars and transporters for flexible rental.
4. Charter bus rental (Reisebusvermietung): wupsi rents its fleet of five modern coaches to groups for private travel, corporate events, and special occasions. Partners include Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Thomas Morus Akademie, Toni Kroos Stiftung, and Currenta.
5. Bus advertising: Revenue generated from advertising space on wupsi buses, offered as full or partial vehicle wraps and interior advertising to local and regional businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

wupsi GmbH operates scheduled public bus transport across 80+ lines and 700+ stops in Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (Germany), and supplements the bus network with shared mobility services including wupsiRad bicycle sharing (100+ stations), wupsiCar carsharing, the wupsiApp digital ticketing platform, secure bicycle parking, and charter bus rental. The company is transitioning its bus fleet to fully electric by 2034.

Product overview

Wupsi GmbH is a multimodal mobility provider operating as a public transportation company (ÖPNV) with a portfolio of mobility services for Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis. The core offering is a bus network of over 80 lines serving 700+ stops, which connects with the wupsiApp as the digital hub for journey planning and ticketing. Adjacent to public transit, Wupsi operates wupsiRad (bicycle sharing with regular bikes, E-bikes, and cargo bikes), wupsiCar (carsharing with electric vehicles), and manages bicycle parking infrastructure (Fahrradparkhaus and Fahrradboxen). The ticket portfolio includes traditional paper/chip tickets alongside digital offerings like the Germany-wide Deutschlandticket and the check-in/check-out based eezy.nrw service. Additional services include express bus lines (Schnellbus), night lines, special event schedules, mobility training programs for seniors and schoolchildren, charter bus rental, and mobility hub stations. The company is transitioning to a fully electric bus fleet by 2034.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• wupsiCar: Carsharing fleet for Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (RBK).
• wupsiRad
• wupsiApp
• wupsi Reisebusvermietung

Products and services

• Linienbusse (Bus Lines) Public bus transportation across 80+ lines serving 700+ bus stops in Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, including SchnellBus (express) lines, night lines, and special event schedules. Carries over 30 million passengers annually.
• wupsiApp Mobile application for iOS and Android providing route planning, real-time schedule information, digital ticket purchasing, and the eezy.nrw check-in/check-out fare system with automatic distance-based price calculation across the NRW public transport network.
• wupsiRad Bicycle sharing system offering regular bicycles, e-bikes (Pedelecs), and cargo bikes at over 100 stations throughout Leverkusen, with rental via mobile app and return to any station. Includes more than 600 bicycles and approximately 90 e-bikes.
• wupsiCar Carsharing fleet serving Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, offering electric vehicles and transporters for flexible rental by the hour or day.
• Deutschlandticket Nationwide monthly subscription ticket valid for all local public transport in Germany (2nd class) at €63/month, available as chip card or mobile ticket via wupsiApp. Optional NRW upgrades for 1st class and bicycle add-on.
• eezy.nrw Digital check-in/check-out ticket service integrated into wupsiApp with automatic price calculation based on GPS-tracked distance, valid across all NRW public transport with a per-journey price cap and a monthly cap of €63.00.
• wupsi Reisebusvermietung (Charter Bus Rental) Charter bus rental with five modern Mercedes-Benz and MAN vehicles for group travel, corporate events, weddings, school trips, and conferences. Features on-board entertainment and catering options. Partners include Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Thomas Morus Akademie, Toni Kroos Stiftung, and Currenta.
• Fahrradparkhaus (Bicycle Parking) Secure covered bicycle parking facility at Leverkusen-Opladen train station offering tiered pricing (€1.00 per 24 hours; discounts for VRS subscribers and longer durations up to 180 days). Bookable via radbox.nrw.
• Fahrradboxen (Bicycle Boxes) Secure individual bicycle storage boxes at various locations throughout Leverkusen, bookable via bikeandridebox.de.
• Mobilstation RBK (Mobility Stations) Integrated mobility hubs in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis combining e-bike sharing, carsharing (wupsiCar), bicycle parking, and Park & Ride facilities to support car-free commuting.
• Einzeltickets & Zeitkarten (Standard Tickets) Range of bus tickets including single tickets, 24-hour tickets, monthly passes, Schülertickets, and Jobtickets, valid for travel on the wupsi bus network and the broader VRS/Rheinlandtarif area.
• Rheinlandtarif Unified regional fare system (effective June 2026) replacing the VRS and AVV tariffs with three simple price levels (short distance, Level 1a/1b, Level 2, Level 3) across the Rhine region.
• Bus Advertising (Werbemöglichkeiten) Advertising space on the wupsi bus fleet offered to local and regional businesses as full or partial vehicle wraps, interior advertising, and digital displays.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 million passengers carried annually across 80 bus lines
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026wupsi is a member of the VRS transport association, which covers the greater Cologne/Bonn region. Since June 1, 2026, the VRS tariff merged with the AVV to form the Rheinlandtarif. VRS coordinates ticketing, schedules, and fare structures across all member transport companies.
• Currenta (CHEMPARK operator)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Currenta, operator of the CHEMPARK industrial campus in Leverkusen, sponsors wupsiRad cargo bikes (wupsiLastenRad) and is a partner in charter bus services, utilizing wupsi's fleet for employee and event transportation.
• Sparkasse LeverkusenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2019Sponsor and partner of the wupsiRad bicycle sharing system in Leverkusen. The Sparkasse Leverkusen logo appears on wupsiRad bicycles as part of the sponsorship arrangement.
• European Union (EU)coreOthersThe mobility stations project in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis (Mobilstationen im Rheinisch-Bergischen Kreis) is co-funded by the European Union, as evidenced by the EU logo displayed on project materials. The project established 19 integrated mobility hubs combining bus, carsharing, e-bike, and bicycle parking facilities.
• AVV (Aachener Verkehrsverbund)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFollowing the June 1, 2026 tariff reform, the AVV and VRS tariffs merged into the new Rheinlandtarif. This strategic alliance combines the Aachener Verkehrsverbund and the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg into a single unified tariff system.
• Rheinisch-Bergischer KreiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a publicly owned company (kommunales Unternehmen), wupsi is jointly owned by the Stadt Leverkusen and the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis. These municipalities are both the primary contracting authorities for wupsi's public transport services and strategic partners in regional mobility planning.
• RVK (Regionalverkehr Köln)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRVK (Regionalverkehr Köln) is a partner transport company in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis that cooperated with wupsi on the X24 line (discontinued April 2025) and provides services on adjacent routes.
• Bayer 04 LeverkusenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBayer 04 Leverkusen is a sports partner of wupsi, utilizing charter bus services for team transportation to matches and events at the BayArena stadium. wupsi also operates special football schedules (Sonderfahrpläne) for home games.
• Bayer Giants LeverkusenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBayer Giants Leverkusen is a basketball club partner of wupsi, using charter bus services for team transportation to away games.
• Wings LeverkusenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWings Leverkusen is a sports partner of wupsi for basketball team transportation.
• Sportpark LeverkusenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSportpark Leverkusen is a sports facility partner that works with wupsi on transportation for athletes and events.
• Wildpark ReuschenbergminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWildpark Reuschenberg is a leisure partner of wupsi, with wupsi providing transportation services for visitors to the wildlife park.
• Naturgut OphovenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNaturgut Ophoven is an environmental education center partner in Leverkusen that collaborates with wupsi on sustainability initiatives and visitor transportation.
• Thomas Morus AkademieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThomas Morus Akademie is an educational institution partner that uses wupsi's charter bus services for conference and seminar group transportation.
• Toni Kroos StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Toni Kroos Foundation is a charitable partner that uses wupsi's charter bus services for foundation events and activities.
• Bürgerbus Odenthal e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizen bus association in Odenthal that operates its own volunteer-driven bus service, complementing wupsi's regular routes in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis. Part of a network of four citizen bus associations supported by wupsi.
• Bürgerbus Burscheid e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizen bus association in Burscheid operating volunteer-driven services to supplement wupsi's route network in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
• Bürgerbus Kürten e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizen bus association in Kürten operating volunteer-driven services to supplement wupsi's route network in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.
• Bürgerbus Leichlingen e.V.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCitizen bus association in Leichlingen operating volunteer-driven services to supplement wupsi's route network in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• nextbike: Germany's largest bike-sharing operator and existing technology partner for wupsiRad. Relevant as an enabling platform provider rather than a competitor; comparable because nextbike's strategy and economics directly affect wupsi's ability to scale and operate wupsiRad.

Direct peers

• ASEAG (Aachener Straßenbahn und Energieversorgung AG): Municipal bus and rail operator for the Aachen region, also a partner in the new Rheinlandtarif (merged from AVV). Comparable as a regional German ÖPNV operator facing similar fleet electrification and on-demand service decisions.
• DSW21 (Dortmunder Stadtwerke): Municipal mobility provider for Dortmund operating bus and Stadtbahn services. Comparable in scale, public ownership model, multi-modal ambitions (including shared mobility and e-mobility hubs), and exposure to German municipal e-bus transition.
• Stadtwerke Bonn / SWB Bus und Bahn: Bonn's municipal bus and light-rail operator, also part of the VRS tariff association. Operates urban and regional bus services with comparable fleet size and regulatory structure to wupsi, and is a fellow member of the new Rheinlandtarif from June 2026.
• BOGESTRA (Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen): Municipal transit operator for the Bochum-Gelsenkirchen area in NRW, running buses and trams. Comparable in scale, ownership structure, and the e-bus transition challenge facing German municipal operators.
• Kölner Verkehrs-Betriebe (KVB): Cologne's municipal transit operator running bus, tram, and Stadtbahn services across the adjacent Cologne metropolitan area. Most directly comparable peer: same ÖPNV regulatory framework, integrated VRS/Rheinlandtarif membership, multi-modal strategy, and similar e-fleet transition ambitions in the same regional market wupsi serves.
• ÜSTRA Hannoversche Verkehrsbetriebe: Hannover's municipal bus and light-rail operator. Comparable as a multi-modal city-owned German transit company pursuing fleet electrification and digital ticketing under similar regulatory and labor frameworks.
• Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK): Regional bus operator serving the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis and adjacent Cologne-area corridors. Already collaborates with wupsi on regional routes and shared lines; directly comparable as a contracted regional bus provider in the same geography.
• moBiel (Bielefeld): City-owned bus and light-rail operator in Bielefeld, NRW. Similar municipal-ownership structure and regional ÖPNV role to wupsi, with comparable fleet size and digital ticketing initiatives.

Broad incumbents

• Deutsche Bahn Regio (DB Regio NRW): National incumbent rail and bus operator present across NRW through regional rail, S-Bahn, and DB-regional bus contracts. Competes with wupsi on intermodal trips and sets the benchmark for digital fare integration (e.g., DB Navigator, Deutschlandticket distribution).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/438482882959596
• Instagraminstagram.com/wupsi_gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Wupsi