Rebus Regionalbus Rostock

What Rebus Regionalbus Rostock does

rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbH is a privately held German regional public bus operator holding an exclusive concession to run scheduled line services (Linienverkehr) across Landkreis Rostock in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The company operates from five Betriebshöfe — Güstrow (headquarters), Rostock, Bad Doberan, Teterow, and Gnoien — with on-site workshops, fueling/washing facilities, and covered bus parking. Its core offering is fixed-route bus transport connecting rural communities to the Hanseatic city of Rostock and surrounding towns, supplemented by digital and on-demand services including rubi (a Rufbus / demand-responsive transport service bookable via iOS/Android apps, web, or telephone), call-line buses (ALF), and supporting community services (Bücherbus mobile library, BusSchule traffic education, bus rental, excursions, and bus advertising).

The company is in the midst of a significant fleet modernization, deploying 52 Solaris hydrogen buses, two hydrogen refueling stations, and converted workshops under the H²erO project, funded primarily by a €17.71M grant from the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) with ~€1.8M/year co-financing from Landkreis Rostock. Technology infrastructure includes the ioki-powered rubi booking platform (with Google Maps API integration and Firebase for push notifications/crash reporting), Dynamic Passenger Information (DFI) displays at five major stops with text-to-speech accessibility, onboard WLAN, and digital ticketing integrated with the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) tariff network and the nationwide €63/month Deutschlandticket.

Rebus generates revenue from regulated passenger fares (single tickets, monthly/annual passes, Schülertickets, Deutschlandticket subscriptions via VVW) and from government subsidies and capital grants at federal, state (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), district (Landkreis Rostock), and EU (ERDF) levels. The company serves three primary customer segments: residents of Landkreis Rostock (commuting, shopping, healthcare, leisure), ~14,500 daily schoolchildren, and rubi on-demand users in underserved rural zones. Leadership consists of Managing Director Thomas Nienkerk and Supervisory Board Chairman Rainer Karl; Jan Thomas Jacobi serves as Data Protection Officer.

Name

Rebus Regionalbus Rostock

Legal name

rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbH

Website

https://rebus.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbH operates scheduled bus lines and the digital on-demand rubi service across Landkreis Rostock in Germany, serving commuters, 14,500 daily students, and rural residents under an exclusive regional concession.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Public Bus Transport

NAICS

Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (485210), Charter Bus Industry (48551), School and Employee Bus Transportation (485410)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Park-and-Ride / Express Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coach & Bus Charter Fleet Rental (With/Without Driver) (TLABADAE), Transportation Reservations (Car Service, Limo, Shuttle) (HSACALAH)

Keywords

• Regional bus transport
• Public transit services
• On-demand bus service
• Scheduled bus lines
• School bus transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Güstrow

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Fares: Revenue from passenger fares through single tickets, time cards (monthly/annual passes), and the Deutschlandticket (63 EUR/month through VVW). Fares are regulated under the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) tariff.
2. Government Subsidies and Contracts: Public transport operators in Germany receive government subsidies for operating bus services under their regional concession. The company also benefits from project-specific funding for sustainability initiatives (hydrogen fleet, LED lighting).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbH operates scheduled regional bus lines (Linienverkehr) and the on-demand rubi Rufbus service across Landkreis Rostock, Germany, under a regional concession. The company provides public mobility (commuter, school, and leisure transport) for residents and visitors, supported by digital booking, dynamic passenger information, and a hydrogen-powered fleet. Additional offerings include bus rental, excursions, bus advertising, the Bücherbus mobile library, Anruflinienbus, student tickets, and the BusSchule traffic education program.

Product overview

Rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbH operates a comprehensive public transport network in Landkreis Rostock, Germany. The company offers a portfolio of mobility services centered around fixed-route bus lines (Linienverkehr) supplemented by on-demand transport. The flagship digital product is rubi, a demand-responsive Rufbus service bookable via app, web, or phone, which uses automated optimization algorithms to dynamically route vehicles based on passenger demand. Supporting offerings include bus rental, excursions, bus advertising, the mobile book bus (Bücherbus), and call-up line buses (ALF). Educational services include BusSchule for children's traffic safety. The company is transitioning to a hydrogen fleet (Wasserstoffflotte) with 52 Solaris hydrogen buses. All services integrate with the Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) tariff system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• rubi: Digital on-demand bus service (Rufbus) for flexible travel without fixed schedules in Landkreis Rostock, bookable via app or web platform.

Products and services

• Linienverkehr (Scheduled Bus Lines) Fixed-route scheduled bus services operating throughout Landkreis Rostock and connecting to Hansestadt Rostock. Multiple lines serve various towns and communities (Güstrow, Bad Doberan, Teterow, Gnoien and surrounding areas) with published timetables, targeting daily commuters, students, and residents.
• rubi – Digitaler Rufbus (On-Demand Bus) On-demand transport service operating within defined zones in Landkreis Rostock. Bookable via smartphone app, web platform, or telephone. Offers flexible routing without fixed schedules, dynamically adapting to passenger demand using automated route optimization.
• Bus mieten (Bus Rental) Bus rental service for private or corporate use, allowing customers to hire rebus vehicles for excursions, events, or group transport.
• Ausflüge im Landkreis Rostock (Excursions) Organized excursion trips within Landkreis Rostock region, offering guided or self-guided travel options to local attractions.
• Bücherbus (Book Bus) Mobile library bus service bringing books and reading resources to communities throughout Landkreis Rostock.
• Anruflinienbus ALF (Call Line Bus) Call-up line bus service that operates on demand along fixed routes, activated by passenger requests via phone or app.
• BusSchule (Bus School) Traffic education project for elementary school children (grades 1-2) and preschools, teaching safe behavior at bus stops and on buses. Approximately 14,500 students use rebus school buses daily.
• Bus-Werbung (Bus Advertising) Advertising opportunities on rebus vehicles and bus stops, allowing businesses to reach commuters and regional travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,500 students transported daily
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• ioki GmbHcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2021ioki GmbH provides the rubi booking platform software for on-demand transport services, including administration, booking, dispatching, communication, billing, and evaluation functionality. The platform operates via app and web interface, enabling automated routing and demand-responsive transport operations.
• Europäische Union (EFRE)majorOthersCo-financing of multiple rebus projects through the European Regional Development Fund (EFRE) under the Operational Programme Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2014-2020, including DFI display installations and the rubi on-demand service introduction.
• Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMVD)majorOthersH²erO project funding of 17.71 million EUR for 52 hydrogen buses, 2 hydrogen refueling stations, and workshop conversion. Funding through the programme for alternative bus propulsion systems, coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by Projektträger Jülich.
• Landkreis RostockmajorOthersCo-financing partner for hydrogen fleet project with annual contributions of approximately 1.8 million EUR.
• NOW GmbH / Projektträger JülichsupportingOthersNOW GmbH coordinates the federal funding directive for alternative bus propulsion; Projektträger Jülich (PtJ) implements the funding programme.
• Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegration of rebus services into the VVW tariff network, enabling unified ticketing, the Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR/month, and coordinated public transport across the region.
• Google Ireland LimitedsupportingTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Maps API used in the rubi app and web booking platform to display interactive maps and calculate distances for trip planning.
• Solaris (bus manufacturer)supportingOthersSupplier of 52 hydrogen buses for the H²erO fleet, the largest single component of the hydrogen mobility project.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• ioki GmbH: Deutsche Bahn subsidiary providing the on-demand transit booking and dispatch platform that powers rebus's rubi service. Comparable as a technology enabler in the same on-demand regional transit space, and a strategic partner whose roadmap directly affects rebus's digital offering.
• MOIA: Volkswagen Group subsidiary operating on-demand ride-pooling services in German cities. An emerging player in the on-demand mobility space that overlaps with rebus's rubi product conceptually, though focused on urban ride-pooling rather than rural bus replacement.
• Door2Door: Berlin-based software provider for on-demand public transport and ride-pooling in German municipalities. An emerging technology peer competing for the same on-demand regional transit opportunity rebus has commercialized with rubi.

Direct peers

• KVG Braunschweig: Regional bus operator in the Braunschweig region operating scheduled bus lines and on-demand services under concession. Comparable in scale, regional monopoly structure, and integration with a Verkehrsverbund tariff network.
• Vetter Verkehrsbetriebe: Family-owned regional bus and tour operator in Saxony-Anhalt offering scheduled lines, school transport, charter, and excursions. Directly comparable service mix to rebus (scheduled + rental + excursions + school) under a similar regional German operating model.
• Regional Bus Stuttgart (RBS): Regional bus operator serving Stuttgart and surrounding districts under concession. Comparable in scheduled regional bus operations, integration with Verkehrsverbund tariff, and addition of on-demand Rufbus services in lower-density zones.
• Havelbus: Regional bus operator serving rural Brandenburg districts around Potsdam with scheduled and on-demand services. Closely comparable to rebus given similar rural Brandenburg/Mecklenburg-Vorpommern demographic profile, concession model, and service mix.
• Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK): Regional bus operator serving multiple districts in the Cologne/Bonn region under public concession. Directly comparable to rebus in business model (concession-based scheduled bus + on-demand), scale, and reliance on municipal subsidies, though serving a denser and more urbanized geography.
• Omnibusverkehr Franken (OVF): Regional bus operator in Bavaria operating scheduled lines under concession in rural and suburban areas. Closely comparable in scope (regional scheduled + on-demand + charter) and in serving lower-density geographies, making it a strong structural peer to rebus.

Broad incumbents

• DB Regio Bus: Germany's largest regional bus operator, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, running concession-based bus services nationwide. A broad incumbent that competes for the same regional concessions rebus depends on, and represents the most likely replacement operator if the Landkreis Rostock concession were rebid.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rebus-regionalbus-rostock-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Rebus Regionalbus Rostock