Transports publics VMCV

What Transports publics VMCV does

Transports publics VMCV (VMCV SA) is a Swiss regional public transport operator founded in 1888, providing bus and trolleybus services across the Riviera vaudoise — connecting Vevey, Montreux, Villeneuve, and surrounding municipalities within the canton of Vaud. The company operates 15+ regular lines plus night services (N290, N291) using a fleet of 16 VanHool Exqui.City third-generation hybrid trolleybuses (with battery-powered off-wire operation to Rennaz Hospital) and 18 Scania diesel buses, having transitioned from tramway (1888-1958) to its current electric traction base. VMCV serves daily commuters, tourists attending major cultural events (Montreux Jazz Festival, Images Vevey, Freddie Days, Septembre Musical), school districts contracting pupil transport, and mobility-reduced passengers, with free multilingual audio guides on lines 201 and 218 enhancing tourist engagement.

VMCV generates revenue through a diversified mix including Mobilis zone-based ticket sales and subscriptions (monthly, annual at 9-month pricing, FlexiAbo 100), national General Subscriptions (AG) and Half-Fare products registered on SwissPass, advertising revenue via APG-SGA (physical) and Livesystems SA (digital onboard), group travel (10+ passengers, up to 30% discount), chartered transport, school transport services, and fare evasion surcharges. Distribution spans ticket offices, automated machines at nine key stops, on-vehicle machines, SMS ticketing, the FAIRTIQ geolocation app, the VMCV Card electronic wallet, the CFF/SwissPass national platform, tourism offices, and seven retail partner locations. As of 2022, the network carried 8.6 million passengers.

The company operates under an exclusive concession for the Riviera region, is integrated into the Mobilis Vaud tariff community across zones 70-79, 63, and 160, and collaborates with CFF for accessibility services and ticketing. Backed by 130+ years of continuous operation, VMCV maintains a brand identity anchored in pioneering electric mobility (first electric tramway in Switzerland, 1888) and deep cultural event sponsorship, with ongoing fleet modernization, product digitization (webshop, QR fine payment), and accessibility compliance (LHand, January 2024) defining its strategic posture.

Name

Transports publics VMCV

Legal name

VMCV SA

Website

https://vmcv.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Transports publics VMCV is a Swiss regional public transport operator founded in 1888, running bus and hybrid trolleybus lines across the Riviera vaudoise connecting Vevey, Montreux, and Villeneuve for commuters, tourists, schools, and accessibility users.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Charter Bus Industry (4855), Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (485)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Coach & Bus Charter Fleet Rental (With/Without Driver) (TLABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Team & Event Transport Charters (THAIAIAE), Vanpooling & Commuter Shuttle Carpool Services (THADAFAE)

Keywords

• Public bus transport
• Trolleybus services
• Urban mobility services
• Transit subscriptions
• School transport

Headquarters

HQ city

Vaud

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Single Tickets and Day Cards: Individual ticket sales and Mobilis day cards based on zone-based pricing. Tickets valid for 1-4 hours depending on zones, day cards valid until 5am next day.
2. Subscription Products: Mobilis subscriptions (7-day, monthly, annual with 9-month pricing, FlexiAbo 100-day flexible), half-fare subscriptions, and general subscriptions (AG) for nationwide travel. Auto-renewal model.
3. Advertising and Sponsorship: Physical advertising via APG-SGA on vehicle exteriors and interiors; digital advertising via Livesystems SA on onboard screens; cultural event sponsorship partnerships.
4. Group Bookings: Group travel discounts up to 30% for groups of 10+, including discounted school rates.
5. Special Transport Services: Chartered transport services with drivers for private and corporate events; school transport services for municipalities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Transports publics VMCV operates a public bus and hybrid trolleybus network on the Riviera vaudoise in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, connecting Vevey, Montreux, Villeneuve and surrounding municipalities across Mobilis tariff zones. The company sells single tickets, Mobilis day cards, and subscriptions (Mobilis, General, Half-Fare, Junior) through ticket offices, automated machines, SMS, the FAIRTIQ app, webshop, and partner locations. It also provides special services including night buses, reduced-mobility transport, school transport for municipalities, group travel, and on-demand charter services.

Product overview

Transports publics VMCV operates a comprehensive public transportation network on the Riviera vaudoise (Lake Geneva region of Switzerland), comprising bus and trolleybus lines connecting Vevey, Montreux, and surrounding municipalities. The core offering consists of regular transport services (lines 201-218, night buses N290-N291) using both diesel buses and hybrid trolleybuses capable of battery-powered off-wire operation. VMCV functions as a tariff community participant within the Mobilis Vaud system, offering tickets, day cards, and subscriptions (Mobilis, General, Half-Fare, Junior). Supporting products include the VMCV Card electronic wallet, SMS ticketing, the FAIRTIQ mobile app with geolocation-based fare calculation, and complimentary audioguides for tourist routes (lines 201 and 218). Special services encompass night buses, reduced mobility access with replacement shuttles, school transport, on-demand charters, and enhanced festival-period service (Montreux Jazz Festival).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VMCV Card Rechargeable electronic wallet card pre-loaded with CHF 20 transport credit plus a one-time CHF 5 activation fee, usable to buy tickets and day cards at VMCV ticket machines. Available to individual consumers and travelers.
• SMS Ticket Text-message based ticket service where passengers send a zone code to 456 to receive a single ticket or day card charged to their phone bill; available in zones 70, 73, 77 and adjacent zones 72, 74.
• VMCV Automated Ticket Machines Self-service ticket machines installed at nine key stops and aboard every vehicle, accepting VMCV Card, TWINT, credit/debit cards, and Swiss franc cash for ticket and day-card purchases.
• Mobilis Subscription Zone-based recurring subscription valid across the Vaud Mobilis tariff community, available in 7-day, monthly, annual (12 months at 9-month price), and FlexiAbo 100 (100 activatable days per year). Registered on SwissPass with auto-renewal.
• General Subscription (AG) National unlimited-travel subscription (Swiss Generalabonnement) valid on all Swiss public transport including bus, train, and boat. Offered in 1st and 2nd class for adults (25+), youth (16-25), children (6-16), and seniors (women 64+, men 65+).
• Half-Fare Subscription Annual subscription that gives a 50% discount on all tickets and day cards across the Swiss public transport network; first purchase CHF 190, CHF 170 on uninterrupted renewal, auto-renews annually.
• Junior Card (Carte Junior) CHF 30/year companion card entitling children aged 6-16 to free travel on Swiss public transport when accompanied by an enrolled parent (free from the third child onward).
• Mobilis Day Card Unlimited-journey day card valid from purchase until 5:00 a.m. the following morning, with prices based on the number of Mobilis zones covered. Purchasable at machines, by SMS, or through FAIRTIQ.
• FAIRTIQ Mobile App Ticketing Geolocation-based mobile ticketing application that automatically calculates and charges fares based on the journey taken, applying day-card pricing once a daily threshold is reached. Available on iOS and Android.
• Bus and Trolleybus Network Service Scheduled regular-route bus and trolleybus service across 17+ lines (201-218, N290, N291) connecting Vevey, Montreux, Villeneuve and surrounding municipalities on the Riviera vaudoise.
• Night Bus Service Night-bus network comprising lines N290, N291, 213 and 217, operating on Friday and Saturday evenings and the eve of public holidays to serve the Lavaux-Riviera area.
• Reduced-Mobility Transport Service Accessible transport for wheelchair users and passengers with reduced mobility, including low-floor ramps on all vehicles and a replacement shuttle (via CFF Contact Center Handicap) for stops not directly accessible, in line with Switzerland's LHand disability equality law.
• Montreux Jazz Festival Bus Service Temporary festival-period enhanced service offering free evening travel on lines 201, 204, and N291, with additional vehicles and extended late-night operations to support the Montreux Jazz Festival.
• School Transport Service Dedicated school bus services commissioned by school districts (cercles scolaires), using specially equipped vehicles for the safe transportation of pupils across the Riviera region.
• On-Demand Charter Transport Private hire of VMCV vehicles with driver for individual, corporate, or event-based transportation needs on the Riviera vaudoise.
• Group Tickets Discounted ticket packages for groups of 10 or more passengers, providing up to 30% off standard fares plus special school rates; orders must be placed at least three business days in advance.
• Single Tickets (Mobilis) Zone-priced single-journey tickets valid for 1 to 4 hours depending on the number of Mobilis zones crossed, available via machines, SMS, FAIRTIQ, the webshop, and ticket offices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.6 million passengers transported in 2022
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Montreux Jazz FestivalflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Major cultural sponsorship for the 60th edition (July 3-18, 2026). VMCV provides free bus lines 201, 204, N291 during evening hours and extended service. Vehicles decorated with festival branding. Lines 201 and 204 reinforced and extended for festival service.
• Freddie Days FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for 2026 edition marking Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday and 30th anniversary of his statue. VMCV decorated bus 512 with festival branding. Sponsorship supports cultural and tourism appeal of Montreux region.
• Images VeveycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Fourth consecutive partnership with 10th Biennale Images Vevey (Sept 5-27, 2026). Bus 705 fully wrapped with artwork 'Le Meilleur Ami du Chien' by artists Mazaccio & Drowilal and designer Nicolas Polli. Partnership brings art to public space.
• Septembre Musical Montreux-VeveycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 202680th edition partnership (Sept 9-18, 2026). Switzerland's oldest classical music festival after Lucerne. VMCV transports attendees to concert venues including Auditorium Stravinski, Caux Palace, and Château de Chillon. Trolleybus 815 decorated for festival.
• Villa Le Lac Le CorbusierminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership for 'Remettre les pendules à l'heure' exhibition at UNESCO World Heritage site. VMCV provides transport access to the villa via lines 201, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 218. Continuation of centenary partnership from 2023.
• APG-SGAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPhysical advertising partner managing all exterior vehicle advertising campaigns across the VMCV fleet.
• Livesystems SAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDigital advertising partner commercializing onboard screen advertising content across all VMCV vehicles.
• FAIRTIQcoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile ticketing app integration allowing passengers to purchase tickets via smartphone with GPS-based fare calculation. App available on iOS and Android with automatic day-card pricing.
• CFF (Swiss Federal Railways)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTicketing integration allowing VMCV ticket purchases through CFF website and mobile application. Connects VMCV network to national rail system.
• MobiliscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVaud tariff community partnership providing zone-based unified ticketing across VMCV and other regional transport operators. VMCV network covers zones 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77, 79, 63, 160.
• Contact Center Handicap CFFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccessibility partnership providing replacement shuttle service for passengers with reduced mobility traveling to/from stops not wheelchair accessible, per disability equality law requirements.
• VMCV Card Partner NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor7 retail locations selling VMCV card including Point i offices (Montreux, Vevey, Villeneuve), k kiosks, and local businesses (Boulangerie Vannay, Kiosque La Fontaine).
• VanHool-Kiepe ConsortiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturers of hybrid Exqui.City trolleybuses (3rd generation, 2019-2020). Kiepe provides electric traction technology with energy recovery. Partnership extends to ongoing vehicle support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ): Zurich city public transport operator running buses, trolleybuses, and trams. Comparable urban-transit operating model and trolleybus fleet profile to VMCV, though on a significantly larger scale in Zurich.
• Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn (RBS): Regional rail and bus operator in the Bern–Solothurn corridor running similar suburban passenger services with comparable fleet and Swiss tariff-community integration. Functionally equivalent mid-sized Swiss regional operator.
• Transports publics fribourgeois (TPF): Canton of Fribourg regional public transport operator providing bus and rail services to a comparable mid-sized Swiss population. Same Mobilis-style Swiss tariff community model and similar size/scope to VMCV.
• Transports publics genevois (TPG): Geneva's municipal public transport operator running buses, trolleybuses, and trams across an agglomeration of similar size and complexity to VMCV's Riviera network. Closest direct functional peer in terms of service mix, fare-zone structure, and hybrid trolleybus technology adoption.

Broad incumbents

• RATP Dev: International subsidiary of RATP Group operating urban, suburban, and interurban public transport networks globally, including Swiss operations. Comparable bus-and-tram transit operating model at a much larger, multi-country scale.
• Transdev Switzerland: Swiss operations of the global Transdev group, operating and contracting public bus and rail services across multiple Swiss regions. Comparable operational scope at the concession-contracting level with VMCV's public service mandate.
• SBB CFF FFS (Swiss Federal Railways): Switzerland's national integrated rail operator — a direct distribution and tariff integration partner of VMCV via SwissPass and the CFF app. Operates bus services in some regions and is the dominant force in Swiss public transport ecosystem governance.
• PostAuto Schweiz: Switzerland's national yellow-bus public transport operator providing scheduled regional bus services across the country. Comparable public-service bus operating model but at a national, much larger scale than VMCV.
• BLS AG: Major Bern-area regional transport operator providing rail and bus services in western Switzerland. Comparable regional Swiss public transport model with overlapping Mobilis-zone presence but a fundamentally larger, integrated rail+business footprint.

Regional players

• Transports de la région Morges-Bière-Cossonay (MBC): Neighboring Vaud canton regional transit operator covering the Morges, Bière, and Cossonay area. Direct geographic and operational peer within the same canton — both serve Swiss communes outside metropolitan Lausanne under the same Mobilis tariff umbrella.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vmcv.moments
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vmcv-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/vmcv.moments

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Transports publics VMCV