Verkehrsverbund Warnow

What Verkehrsverbund Warnow does

Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) is a regional public transport association coordinating bus, tram, S-Bahn, regional rail, ferry, and narrow-gauge railway services across the Hanseatic city and district of Rostock plus the Güstrow area in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany. Founded on 27 February 1997 as a GmbH by RSAG, DB AG, RvK, Weiße Flotte, antaris, and Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn Molli, VVW operates as the unified ticketing, timetable-coordination, and revenue-allocation layer across 13 fare stages rather than as a transport operator itself; the firm employs 1–10 staff who oversee coordination, partner relations, public funding programs, and product/policy initiatives.

The core technology stack consists of the VVW mobile app and web shop (powered by EOS UPTRADE), timetable-information services (HaCon Ingenieurgesellschaft), payment processing (LogPay alongside PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card, SEPA), GTFS open-data feeds via Connect Fahrplanauskunft, and the VVW Fahrplangenerator widget builder. Distribution combines the digital self-serve channels with operator-operated customer centers, onboard and stationary ticket machines, and event-integrated ticketing (Eintrittskarte = Fahrschein at IGA Park concerts, Hanse Sail, and HC Empor games). Technology is procured from third parties rather than built in-house.

VVW earns revenue across three lanes. (1) Passenger ticket sales and ABO subscriptions, dominated by the nationwide Deutschland-Ticket at €63/month (100,000+ subscriptions within the network), the locally zoned single, day, 4-trip, 10-day, bicycle, and ferry fares (e.g., €2.40 short distance, €3.20 single Rostock, €8.00 day Rostock), and tiered subscriptions (SchülerTicket, VorschulTicket, SeniorenTicket, Azubi-Ticket). (2) B2B JobTicket revenue from 200+ regional employers, with employees paying from €44.10/month and VVW offering a 5% rebate for employer subsidies of at least 25%. (3) Public-sector funding, most notably the €32.2 million MIRROR ÖPNV model project (€29.3M federal BMDV + €2.9M state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) implementing about 40 transport-improvement measures, and prior EU ERDF co-financing for digitalization. GTM is a hybrid: PLG-style digital self-serve through the app, enterprise field sales via a dedicated Großkundenbetreuung team for JobTicket, and event-driven demand activation tied to Rostock's major festivals and cruise-terminal tourism flows.

Name

Verkehrsverbund Warnow

Legal name

Verkehrsverbund Warnow GmbH

Website

https://verkehrsverbund-warnow.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) is a regional German public transport association coordinating bus, tram, S-Bahn, regional rail, ferry, and narrow-gauge railway ticketing and timetables across 13 fare stages in the Rostock and Güstrow area.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rostock

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Passenger Ticket Sales: VVW generates revenue primarily through the sale of public transport tickets across all participating transport operators (RSAG buses/trams, DB Regio S-Bahn/regional trains, rebus regional buses, Weiße Flotte ferries, Molli narrow-gauge railway, ODEG regional trains). Tickets are sold through the VVW app (mobile ticketing), onboard vehicles, customer centers, presale agents, and stationary ticket machines. Revenue types include one-time single tickets, day tickets, and period-based subscriptions (ABO).
2. Deutschland-Ticket Subscription: Monthly subscription product at €63 per month (standard) providing nationwide local public transport access. VVW acts as the local subscription manager. Additional revenue streams include job tickets (employer-subsidized at minimum 30% discount), student/senior discounted variants, and bicycle ABO add-ons.
3. Zone-based Fares: VVW uses a 13-fare-stage zone system. Revenue varies by zones traveled, with short-distance tickets starting at €2.40, single tickets from €2.30–€10.10 depending on zones and location, and day tickets from €5.30–€20.20. Period tickets (4-trip, weekly, monthly ABO) provide recurring revenue from regular commuters.
4. B2B Ticket Purchase on Invoice: VVW offers invoice-based ticket purchasing for companies and associations, with a minimum order value of €50. This B2B channel targets corporate accounts purchasing bulk or recurring tickets for employees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) is a public transport association that coordinates bus, tram, S-Bahn, regional train, and ferry services across the Hanseatic city and district of Rostock under a unified fare system. It sells and distributes passenger tickets — single, day, multi-trip, and nationwide subscription tickets such as the Deutschland-Ticket — through its own mobile app, customer centers, ticket machines, and corporate portal, enabling travelers to use one ticket across all participating transport operators (RSAG, DB Regio, rebus, Weiße Flotte, ODEG, Molli).

Product overview

Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) is a public transport association serving the Hanseatic city and district of Rostock in Germany. The organization operates as a unified ticketing and coordination platform connecting multiple transport providers (RSAG for buses/trams, DB Regio for trains, rebus for regional buses, Weiße Flotte for ferries, ODEG for regional rail, and Molli for narrow-gauge railway). The core product is the VVW App, which serves as the central mobile platform for real-time timetable information and mobile ticketing. The product portfolio includes single, day, and multi-trip tickets; subscription products (Deutschland-Ticket, JobTicket, Azubi-Ticket); student and preschool tickets; tourist products (GästeCard); and social tariff products developed under the MIRROR project. Integration with external service providers includes EOS UPTRADE for mobile ticketing infrastructure, HaCon for timetable information systems, and Connect Fahrplanauskunft for GTFS data distribution. The association coordinates route networks and timetables across all transport modes to provide seamless 'one ticket for all' mobility throughout the region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VVW Mobile App Free mobile application for iOS and Android providing bus, tram, S-Bahn and ferry tickets across the entire VVW network, real-time timetable information, live map, CO2 savings calculator, journey planning, and digital Deutschland-Ticket storage. Purchases can be made with or without registration.
• Single Ticket (Einzelfahrkarte) One-way ticket for a single journey priced by zone (Rostock: €3.20; 1 zone: €2.90 up to entire VVW fare area: €10.10). Valid on all VVW transport services (bus, tram, S-Bahn, regional train, ferry).
• Day Ticket (Tageskarte) Day pass for unlimited travel within specified zones on all VVW transport services. Rostock: €8.00 standard, €6.00 reduced, €17.40 family; entire VVW fare area: €20.20 standard.
• Short Distance Ticket (Kurzstrecke) Short-distance ticket valid for shortest trips within the immediate vicinity. Priced at €2.40 across the entire VVW fare area.
• 4-Trip Ticket (4er-Karte) Multi-ride ticket valid for four journeys. Rostock: €10.80; Güstrow/Bützow/Bad Doberan: €8.00.
• 10-Day Ticket (10er-Tagesticket) Multi-day pass for extended travel across VVW zone(s). Rostock: €45.00; entire VVW fare area: €105.00.
• Bicycle Ticket (Fahrradkarte) Ticket for transporting bicycles on VVW public transport. Rostock single: €2.30; day ticket €5.00; entire VVW single: €4.50; monthly Bicycle ABO: €7/month.
• Ferry Ticket (Fährfahrkarte) Dedicated ticket for the Warnow ferries operated by Weiße Flotte connecting Warnemünde with Hohe Düne and the Rostock harbor ferries. Rostock: €2.10 standard, €1.40 reduced.
• Deutschland-Ticket (D-Ticket) Nationwide monthly subscription ticket at €63/month providing unlimited travel on all local public transport throughout Germany, excluding IC/ICE long-distance trains. Subscription can be cancelled monthly.
• Deutschland-Ticket Job (JobTicket) Employer-subsidized Deutschland-Ticket offering minimum 30% employee discount. Companies providing at least 25% subsidy receive a 5% VVW discount. Employees pay from €44.10/month. Over 200 employers in the Rostock region participate.
• Azubi-Ticket (Apprentice Ticket) Discounted Deutschland-Ticket for apprentices in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, providing affordable nationwide public transport access for vocational training participants through participating employers and vocational schools.
• Free SchülerTicket (Student Ticket) Free travel ticket for students attending schools in Rostock with primary residence in the Hanseatic City of Rostock. Valid for the entire school year in the Rostock tariff zone on S-Bahn, regional trains, trams, buses, and ferries. Issued as chip card or digital ticket in the VVW app.
• SchülerTicket Rostock (Paid Student Ticket) Paid monthly student ticket at €30.50/month for students without eligibility for the free SchülerTicket. Valid for the full school year in the Rostock tariff zone on all VVW modes.
• Free VorschulTicket (Preschool Ticket) Free travel ticket for Rostock children from age 6 who have not yet started school. Valid in the Rostock tariff zone. Issued as a chip card with photo.
• D-Ticket Upgrade Schule/Vorschule Subsidized Deutschland-Ticket upgrade for holders of free SchülerTicket or VorschulTicket, extending validity nationwide. €31/month with VorschulTicket, €41.10/month with SchülerTicket; monthly cancellable.
• GästeCard (Guest Card) Tourist guest card provided to overnight guests in Rostock with payment of tourist tax (Kurabgabe) since September 2023. Provides free ÖPNV travel in the VVW area on buses, trams, S-Bahn, and regional trains (excludes Molli and Warnow ferries).
• MIRROR-WarnowTicket Social-tariff ticket valid on the entire VVW network, developed under the MIRROR project to address mobility poverty and strengthen social participation for low-income residents.
• MIRROR-MieterTicket (Tenant Ticket) Subsidized mobility ticket for residents of participating housing complexes in Rostock, Güstrow, and Bützow, offered under the MIRROR social inclusion project.
• MIRROR-SemesterTicket Student semester ticket integrated into the MIRROR project, offering extended validity and coverage for university students in the Rostock region.
• Molli (Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn) Historic narrow-gauge steam railway connecting Kühlungsborn via Heiligendamm with Bad Doberan, one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the world (900mm track width). Integrated into the VVW network with a separate narrow-gauge surcharge.
• Warnow Ferries (Warnow Fähren) Ferry services operated by Weiße Flotte GmbH connecting Warnemünde with Hohe Düne, and Kabutzenhof with Gehlsdorf in the Rostock harbor. Vehicle and passenger transport available on the Warnemünde–Hohe Düne route.
• Timetable Information (Fahrplanauskunft) Real-time timetable information service accessible via the VVW app and website, providing route planning, departure/arrival times, stop information, and real-time delay notifications for all VVW transport services across the Rostock region and nationwide.
• Park & Ride Park-and-ride facilities across the Rostock region allowing drivers to park their cars at multiple locations near S-Bahn stations (Strand West, Flensburger Straße, Lütten Klein, Dierkower Kreuz and others) and continue their journey by public transport.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000 Deutschland-Tickets sold within the VVW network
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• eos.uptrade GmbHcoreTechnology or Integrationeos.uptrade GmbH (Schanzenstraße 70, 20357 Hamburg) provides the mobile ticketing technology platform for VVW, enabling ticket sales through both the web shop and the VVW app. This is a core technology partnership underpinning VVW's primary revenue channel. The system supports ticket purchase with and without registration and multiple payment methods.
• HaCon Ingenieurgesellschaft mbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationHaCon (Lister Straße 15, 30163 Hanover) provides the timetable information service integrated into the VVW website and app. When users access 'Timetable Information', a connection is established between the user's device and HaCon's server to provide journey planning, departure times, and real-time information.
• LUPCOM media GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLUPCOM media GmbH (Rahnstädter Weg 33, 18069 Rostock) is responsible for the conception, web design, and technical implementation of the VVW website. They also developed the 'Mobility Platform' sub-measure of the MIRROR project (awarded November 2023).
• European Union (European Regional Development Fund)coreOthersThe EU co-financed VVW's digitalization project (2014-2020 funding period) through the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, providing 75% of project costs for ABO online, mobile ticketing expansion (PayPal, weekly/monthly tickets), and corporate customer portal development.
• Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMVD) / German Federal GovernmentcoreOthersThe BMDV selected VVW from over 160 applicants nationwide to conduct the MIRROR ÖPNV model project. Funding approval of approximately €29.3 million was issued by the BMDV for implementing ~40 transport measures in the Rostock region through the end of 2024, with additional ~€2.9 million from the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
• Land Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (State of MV)coreOthersThe State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern provided approximately €2.9 million in co-funding for the MIRROR model project, supplementing the ~€29.3 million federal BMDV grant for the ÖPNV improvement initiative.
• Hanse- und Universitätsstadt RostockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hanseatic City of Rostock is a key co-development partner in the MIRROR project and one of the two authorities (alongside Landkreis Rostock) that have shaped the Regiopolregion Rostock since 2006. The city is a founding member of the VVW association and the primary authority responsible for public transport planning in the urban area.
• Landkreis RostockcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district of Rostock is a co-development partner in the MIRROR project and co-shapes the Regiopolregion Rostock together with the Hanseatic City of Rostock since 2006. The district is responsible for public transport planning in the rural areas of the VVW network.
• Universität RostockminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Rostock participated in a research seminar that informed the development of MIRROR project measures. The university contributed academic expertise on segregation, social inclusion, and public transport planning to develop tailored measures for stronger inclusion and participation.
• Rostocker Straßenbahn AG (RSAG)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSAG (Hamburger Straße 115, 18069 Rostock, Tel: 0381/802 19 00) is the primary operating transport company in the VVW network, operating city buses and trams in Rostock and Warnemünde. RSAG hosts the ABO customer portal and customer centers. It is a founding shareholder of VVW (established 27.02.1997).
• DB Regio AG NordostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDB Regio Nordost (Babelsberger Str. 18, 14473 Potsdam, Tel: 0385/750 24 05) operates S-Bahn and regional train services in the VVW network, connecting Rostock with the region and beyond. It is a founding shareholder of VVW (established 27.02.1997).
• rebus Regionalbus Rostock GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorrebus (Parumer Weg 35, 18273 Güstrow, Tel: 03843/6940-300/-400) operates regional bus services across the entire Landkreis Rostock, connecting the region with the Hanseatic city. rebus was formed on 01.01.2013 through the merger of RvK, OVG, Küstenbus GmbH, and Hameister Personenverkehr.
• Weiße Flotte GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWeiße Flotte (Fährstr. 16, 18439 Stralsund, Tel: 03831/26 810) operates two ferries connecting Warnemünde with Hohe Düne at the mouth of the Warnow into the Baltic Sea. Ferries serve both passengers and vehicles. Weiße Flotte is a founding shareholder of VVW (established 27.02.1997).
• Mecklenburgische Bäderbahn Molli GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMolli (operational contact: Tel: 038293/431 331) operates the historic narrow-gauge railway connecting Kühlungsborn via Heiligendamm with Bad Doberan, one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways in the world (900mm track width). Molli is a founding shareholder of VVW (established 27.02.1997). Note: MBB announced its exit from VVW in 2025 per press release PM_14-25.
• Ostdeutsche Eisenbahn GmbH (ODEG)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorODEG (Möllendorffstr. 49, 10367 Berlin, Tel: 030/514 88 88 88) operates modern rail vehicles across eastern Germany. Within VVW, ODEG runs the RE9/10 between Rostock and Stralsund, with VVW-tariff relevance limited to the section Rostock Hbf to Gelbensande. ODEG became a shareholder of VVW on 12.12.2021.
• Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH (MVVG)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMVVG (Tel: 0395/570 878 473, [email protected]) is a cooperation partner of VVW. A VVW-MVVG cooperation and tariff area expansion was announced in 2026 (PM_04-26_VVW-MVVG Kooperation und Verbunderweiterung), expanding the VVW network.
• Verkehrsgesellschaft Vorpommern-Rügen mbH (VVR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVVR (Tel: 038326/600 800, [email protected]) is a cooperation partner of VVW. A VVW-VVR cooperation and tariff area expansion was announced in late 2025 (PM_18-25_VVW-Kooperation mit VVR und Prüfung Verbunderweiterung).
• Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH (VMV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVMV (Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern mbH) is a project partner in the MIRROR initiative, contributing to the public transport development agenda for the region.
• Rostocker Gesellschaft für Stadterneuerung, Stadtentwicklung und Wohnungsbau mbH (RGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRGS is a project partner in the MIRROR initiative, contributing expertise in urban renewal, city development, and housing to the social inclusion and mobility dimension of the project.
• Rostocker Stadtmission e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRostocker Stadtmission is a project partner in the MIRROR initiative, contributing social sector expertise to address mobility poverty and strengthen social participation for vulnerable groups.
• VCD Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland, local chapter Rostock) is a project partner in the MIRROR initiative, contributing environmental and transport policy expertise to sustainable mobility development.
• Verkehrskonzepte & Mobilitätsplanung (plan-mobil)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partnerplan-mobil (Verkehrskonzepte & Mobilitätsplanung) is a project partner in the MIRROR initiative, providing professional mobility planning and transport concept expertise.
• Ministry for Energy, Infrastructure and Digitalization of MVcoreOthersThe Ministry for Energy, Infrastructure and Digitalization of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern granted VVW EU co-financing (75% of costs) from the European Fund for Regional Development for the digitalization project covering ABO online, mobile ticketing expansion, and corporate customer portal.
• PTV Transport Consult GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPTV Transport Consult GmbH was awarded the contract for the VVW transport survey (Verkehrserhebung) field work in 2026. Previously awarded Los 2 (field work) for the 2021 survey. Also awarded the 2020 transport survey Los 2 contract.
• TCAC GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTCAC GmbH was awarded Los 1 (project and data management) for the VVW transport survey in 2021, supporting data collection and analysis.
• BSL Transportation Consultants GmbH & Co. KGminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBSL Transportation Consultants was awarded the contract for the new revenue allocation model (Neumodellierung Einnahmeaufteilung) in February 2020 through a negotiated procedure without public tender.
• WERK3 Werbeagentur GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWERK3 Werbeagentur GmbH was awarded the VVW communication contract for 2025 onwards through a negotiated procedure with prior competitive participation (Verhandlungsverfahren mit vorgeschaltetem Teilnahmewettbewerb), SektVO.
• HC Empor Rostock (Basketball Club)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHC Empor Rostock (handball/basketball club) partners with VVW on the KombiTicket scheme, where event entry tickets serve as transit passes. This partnership has been ongoing since 2022 and was renewed for the 2025/26 and 2026 seasons.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (MDV): MDV coordinates public transport in the Leipzig/Halle region of central Germany. Like VVW, it serves an east German region with multi-modal coordination, D-Ticket subscriptions, and employer mobility programs. Direct peer with similar regional scope and digital ticketing infrastructure.
• Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB): VBB coordinates public transport across Berlin and Brandenburg, integrating buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, regional trains, and ferries. Direct peer to VVW as a German Verkehrsverbund with multi-modal coordination, mobile ticketing, and D-Ticket subscription management.
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR): VRR is the largest Verkehrsverbund in Germany by area, coordinating public transport across the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region. Comparable to VVW as a multi-operator tariff association with electronic ticketing, employer JobTicket programs, and customer portals.
• Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV): RMV coordinates public transport across the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region including buses, trams, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and regional trains. Comparable to VVW as a German Verkehrsverbund with mobile ticketing, JobTicket programs, and a unified tariff system across multiple operators.
• Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund (MVV): MVV coordinates public transport in the Munich metropolitan region with a unified tariff across buses, trams, S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and regional trains. Comparable to VVW as a Verkehrsverbund with a strong mobile app (MVV-App), subscription management, and D-Ticket distribution. Differentiated by metro scale.
• Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV): HHV is one of Germany's largest Verkehrsverbünde, coordinating buses, rail, and ferries (including HADAG) in the Hamburg metropolitan region under a unified tariff. Like VVW, it operates a digital ticket app, a multi-modal network, and D-Ticket subscriptions. Comparable in coordination model and multi-modal ferry-included structure.
• Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO): VVO coordinates public transport in the Dresden/Oberelbe region with a unified tariff across buses, trams, S-Bahn, regional trains, and ferries (including the Saxon Steamship Company on the Elbe). Very comparable to VVW as a multi-modal Verkehrsverbund with ferry integration and a similar mid-sized scope.
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS): VRS coordinates public transport in the Cologne/Bonn region across multiple operators under a unified tariff. Like VVW, it offers JobTicket products, mobile apps, subscription management, and D-Ticket distribution. Direct peer as a mid-sized German Verkehrsverbund.

Regional players

• Nahverkehrsverbund Schleswig-Holstein (NAH.SH): NAH.SH is the state-wide public transport association for Schleswig-Holstein, the northern German state neighboring Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Operates a similar multi-modal tariff association model. Geographically adjacent to VVW but operates at a different scale (state-wide vs. regional).
• Verkehrsgesellschaft Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (VMV): VMV is the state-level public transport coordinator for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state where VVW operates. VMV partners with VVW on the MIRROR project and connects statewide services. Functions as a state-level complement to VVW's regional tariff area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/verkehrsverbundwarnow
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vvw-verkehrsverbund-warnow-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Verkehrsverbund Warnow