Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg

What Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg does

Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) is the legally designated public transport authority coordinating all scheduled public transport across the federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg in Germany. The entity operates as VBB Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH, a private limited company owned by the two German states it serves, and coordinates approximately 40 transport operators — including Deutsche Bahn, BVG, and S-Bahn Berlin — under a single unified tariff covering S-Bahn, regional trains, U-Bahn, trams, buses, and ferries. The network carried 1.56 billion passenger journeys in 2025, making VBB one of the largest public transport authorities in Europe. Approximately 44 million daily journeys are coordinated across the VBB system. The coordinating organization itself is small (11–50 employees) and is publicly funded through state subsidies rather than direct fare capture.

VBB's product surface centers on VBB-Fahrinfo, the journey planning system delivered via website, the VBB-App Bus & Bahn (iOS/Android), the simplified VBB easy app, the children's VBB jump app, and the accessibility-focused VBB GuideMeGo app. Ticketing products include the VBB-Handyticket (mobile, VDV-barcode based), the VBB-Umweltkarte monthly/annual pass, the Deutschlandticket national subscription at 58 EUR/month, VBB-Firmenticket (corporate), and student/trainee subscriptions. The technology stack integrates third-party platforms for ticketing (Handyticket Deutschland), payment processing (LogPay), and analytics (Matomo, hosted on own servers), with Cloudflare for edge/DDoS protection. Supporting services include VBB-fahrCard (contactless chip card), VBB-RadPark secured bicycle parking (booked via ParkYourBike), VBB-Mobilstationen multimodal hubs, Park & Ride facilities, and the VBB Bus & Bahn-Begleitservice accompaniment service for mobility-impaired passengers. AI/ML capabilities include predictive demand forecasting via anonymized journey data and the NIKKI research project applying NLP to context-sensitive route recommendation.

The business model is a regulated coordination authority rather than a commercial operator: VBB does not directly collect fare revenue from passengers (revenue accrues to the 40 transport operators) and is funded primarily through state subsidies from Berlin and Brandenburg. Pricing is governed under the unified VBB-Tarif zone-based system for single tickets, day/weekly passes, monthly subscriptions, and group/bicycle tickets, with the Germany-wide Deutschlandticket accepted across the network. Customer segments span general public commuters (primary), corporate commuters via VBB-Firmenticket, students and youth via discounted Schülerticket/Semesterticket/Ausbildung subscriptions, and passengers with mobility impairments served by dedicated accessibility services and accompaniment programs.

Name

Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg

Legal name

VBB Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH

Website

https://vbb.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) is the publicly owned public transport authority coordinating approximately 40 transport operators across Berlin and Brandenburg under a single unified tariff, serving 1.56 billion annual passenger journeys via journey planning, ticketing, and accessibility services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation Coordination Services

NAICS

Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (4859), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (485210)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Suburban Rail & S-Bahn Operators (THAIACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Park-and-Ride / Express Commuter Bus Operators (TLAFAGAF), Park-and-Ride / Last-Mile Carpool Connector Services (THADAFAJ)

Keywords

• Public transport authority
• Integrated fare system
• Journey planning services
• Transit tariff coordination
• Multimodal mobility services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Unified Transport Tariff: VBB manages a unified tariff system across Berlin and Brandenburg, coordinating ticket revenue from approximately 40 transport operators. Revenue is generated through single tickets, day passes, weekly tickets, monthly passes, subscriptions (including Deutschlandticket), group tickets, and bicycle tickets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VBB coordinates public transport across Berlin and Brandenburg, uniting approximately 40 transport operators under a single integrated tariff system. It provides journey planning via the VBB-Fahrinfo platform, mobile and printed ticketing (VBB-Handyticket, VBB-fahrCard), monthly and annual subscriptions (VBB-Umweltkarte, Deutschlandticket), corporate commuter programs (VBB-Firmenticket), bicycle parking (VBB-RadPark), mobility hubs (VBB-Mobilstationen), and accessibility services (VBB GuideMeGo, Begleitservice).

Product overview

Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) is the public transport authority for the Berlin metropolitan region and Brandenburg state, operating as one of Europe's largest transport associations. The product portfolio centers on VBB-Fahrinfo, a journey planning system delivered via desktop web, VBB-App Bus & Bahn (iOS/Android), and widget tools. Core ticketing includes the VBB-Umweltkarte monthly pass, Deutschlandticket subscription, and VBB-Handyticket mobile tickets via Handyticket Deutschland. Subscription products include VBB-Firmenticket (corporate), Ausbildung/Schüler (training/student), and flexible tariff options. Supporting services encompass VBB-RadPark (secured bicycle parking booked via ParkYourBike), VBB-Mobilstationen (multimodal hubs), Park & Ride facilities, and VBB Bus & Bahn-Begleitservice (accessibility assistance). The network covers Eisenbahn-Regionalverkehr, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, Straßenbahn, buses, and ferries across approximately 40 transport operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VBB-Fahrinfo: Journey planner and travel information service
• VBB-Handyticket
• VBB-Umweltkarte
• VBB-Firmenticket
• VBB-RadPark
• VBB-Mobilstationen
• VBB GuideMeGo
• VBB jump

Products and services

• VBB-Fahrinfo Journey planning and route information system accessible via desktop web, mobile app (VBB-App Bus & Bahn), and widget generator. Provides real-time connections, timetable data, and ticket recommendations for commuters and travelers across Berlin and Brandenburg.
• VBB-Handyticket Mobile ticketing service allowing purchase and validation of tickets via smartphone. Issued as VDV barcodes through the VBB-App, powered by Handyticket Deutschland, for passengers across Berlin and Brandenburg.
• Deutschlandticket Monthly subscription ticket for unlimited travel on local public transport throughout Germany, priced at 58 EUR/month, offered within the VBB tariff area.
• VBB-Umweltkarte Monthly or annual pass for unlimited travel within Berlin and Brandenburg tariff zones, available to regular commuters.
• VBB-Firmenticket Corporate subscription ticket program allowing employers to subsidize employee public transport passes with tax advantages.
• VBB-App Bus & Bahn Main mobile application providing journey planning, real-time information, mobile ticketing, and accessibility features. Available for iOS and Android.
• VBB easy Simplified, user-friendly app for journey planning and ticket purchasing with an intuitive interface, designed for accessibility and ease of use.
• VBB jump Kids app introducing children to public transport through playful, educational content about buses and trains.
• VBB GuideMeGo Accessibility-focused app providing guided journey assistance for users with mobility limitations, including online accompaniment services.
• VBB-RadPark Secured, weather-protected bicycle parking facilities at railway stations throughout Brandenburg. Bookable via ParkYourBike app with collective lockers, bicycle boxes, and special needs spaces.
• VBB-Mobilstationen Multimodal mobility hubs combining various transport options (bikes, cars, trains, buses) at strategic locations to facilitate seamless connections between transport modes.
• VBB Bus & Bahn-Begleitservice Personal accompaniment service for passengers with mobility impairments, providing assistance from home to destination and back across the VBB network.
• Barrierefreier Alternativ-Verkehr (BAV) Barrier-free alternative transport service providing accessible transportation options for mobility-impaired passengers within the VBB network.
• VBB-fahrCard Contactless smart card for stored-value tickets and season passes, with chip-based storage, encrypted name storage, logbook functionality, and NFC reading for mobile app access and ticket control.
• Park & Ride Facilities combining car parking with public transport access at railway stations, encouraging multimodal commuting across the VBB network.
• Livekarte Real-time live map showing current traffic conditions, disruptions, and transport positions across the VBB network.
• Flughafen BER Anbindung Public transport connections to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), including AirportShuttle, RE trains, and Airport Express (FEX) services for airport travelers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.56 billion passenger journeys per year (2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HaCon Ingenieurgesellschaft mbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationHaCon provides the journey planning software (VBB-Fahrinfo) for the VBB network. They are responsible for the technical implementation and maintenance of the timetable and route planning system used by VBB passengers.
• Handyticket Deutschland (Oberhavel Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH)coreTechnology or IntegrationHandyticket Deutschland, operated by Oberhavel Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (OVG), provides the mobile ticketing platform (VBB-Handyticket) enabling passengers to purchase and validate electronic tickets via smartphone using VDV barcodes.
• LogPay Financial Services GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLogPay handles payment processing and debt collection for mobile ticket purchases, providing secure payment services including credit card and direct debit options.
• VDV eTicket-Service GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationVDV manages the central blacklist/blocklist system for electronic tickets nationwide, and VBB participates in this system for ticket validation and fraud prevention.
• D&B Dienstleistung und Bildung Gemeinnützige GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerD&B provides operational support for the VBB Bus & Bahn Begleitservice (accompaniment service) for passengers with mobility impairments, handling service requests and staff training.
• Bischof-ITminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBischof-IT provides technical support for the GuideMeGo online accompaniment service, handling data processing and system operations.
• 40 Transport Operators in VBB NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproximately 40 transport operators including Deutsche Bahn, BVG, S-Bahn Berlin, and regional carriers operate under the unified VBB tariff system, coordinating services across S-Bahn, regional trains, U-Bahn, trams, buses, and ferries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (hvv): The public transport coordination authority for the Hamburg metropolitan region, operating the same Verkehrsverbund model with a unified tariff across multiple operators and digital journey planning/ticketing. Directly comparable to VBB in structure, mandate, and product portfolio.
• Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (MDV): Transport authority for central Germany (Leipzig/Halle region), operating the same Verkehrsverbund model with unified tariffs and digital journey planning. Comparable to VBB in product and governance structure.
• Verkehrsverbund Stuttgart (VVS): Transport authority for the Stuttgart region integrating rail, bus, and other modes under a unified tariff. Comparable to VBB as a German regional Verkehrsverbund with multimodal coordination.
• Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV): Public transport authority coordinating operators across the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region under a unified tariff and digital ticketing. Directly comparable to VBB in Verkehrsverbund structure and product portfolio.
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR): One of Europe's largest Verkehrsverbünde, covering the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region with integrated fare coordination across dozens of operators. Comparable to VBB in scale, multi-operator coordination model, and metropolitan scope.
• Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt (NASA): Public transport authority for Saxony-Anhalt coordinating regional rail and bus services under a unified tariff. Comparable to VBB as a German regional Verkehrsverbund with multi-modal coordination responsibilities.
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS): Cologne/Bonn-area Verkehrsverbund coordinating public transport across multiple operators with unified fare and journey planning. Directly comparable to VBB in mandate and operating model.
• Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV): The Munich-area Verkehrsverbund coordinating regional rail, U-Bahn, tram, and bus operators under a unified tariff. Directly comparable to VBB as a large German metropolitan transport authority with integrated fare and journey planning.
• Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO): Dresden/Oberelbe regional Verkehrsverbund coordinating multiple operators under a unified tariff. Comparable to VBB as a German regional transport authority.

Broad incumbents

• Transport for London (TfL): London's integrated transport authority covering Underground, buses, rail, and ticketing under a single brand. Broader scope and direct operator role, but comparable to VBB as a metropolitan public transport authority with unified digital products and fares.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DerVBB
• Facebookfacebook.com/vbbapp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vbb
• Instagraminstagram.com/verkehrsverbund_bb

Compliance1 record

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 Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg