Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV)

What Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV) does

Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV) is a 100% municipally owned transport authority (Aufgabenträger) for the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in Hesse, Germany, operating under §6 Abs. 1 ÖPNVG. The company plans, procures, and quality-monitors all local bus transport in the district, coordinating approximately 160 vehicles operated by contracted traffic companies across 6.2 million kilometers annually. RTV runs scheduled Linienverkehr, dedicated Schülverkehr serving ~9,750 students daily across 64 lines and 168 vehicles, and a portfolio of demand-responsive services: the electric EMIL on-demand shuttle in Taunusstein and Idstein, the digital Rufbus call-bus system in Rheingau and Untertaunus, and the TaunusFLEX on-demand shuttle launched in December 2025 as a two-year pilot.

RTV's technology stack centers on three digital systems: (1) Smart Traffic Management, a sensor-and-AI platform equipping ~160 buses with door-mounted optical counters that transmit real-time boarding/alighting data to RTV's data center, where AI software combines counts with vehicle capacity parameters to generate occupancy forecasts displayed via dashboards, station displays, and the RMVgo app; (2) the OnDemand@RMV booking platform, powered by global on-demand software provider VIA, which handles ride-pooling, routing, ticketing, and cashless payment for EMIL and TaunusFLEX; and (3) a planned rollout of digital passenger information displays at up to ~900 bus stops. RTV integrates with the RMV (Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund) for unified ticketing and regional network access.

RTV does not operate a commercial revenue model in the traditional sense; it is a publicly funded mobility service provider. Its ~€27M annual budget is sourced approximately as follows: 57% from the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis via municipal levies (Kreis- und Schulumlage, with a committed minimum 1.5% annual increase through 2030), 23% from fare revenue flowing through the RMV tariff system (including Deutschlandticket and HessenPass Mobil), 10% from the State of Hesse in operational compensation and project grants, and 10% from municipal co-funding for city-specific and cross-border services. Customers are the residents of the district (~17 municipalities), with school children, commuters, tourists, and elderly/mobility-impaired persons as primary user segments served through scheduled routes, on-demand shuttles, the MobiZentrale service counter in Taunusstein, and the RMV digital ecosystem.

Name

Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV)

Legal name

Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH

Website

https://r-t-v.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV) is a 100% municipally owned transport authority for the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in Hesse, Germany. It plans, procures, and quality-monitors local bus services, coordinating ~160 vehicles across scheduled routes, school transport, and demand-responsive shuttles for district residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Public Transport Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), Taxi and Ridesharing Services (485310), School and Employee Bus Transportation (4854)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

On-Demand Shared Shuttle / Vanpool (Dynamic Routing, Door-to-Door) (TLAFAJAB)

Keywords

• Local public transport
• Demand-responsive transport
• School bus services
• Municipal transport authority
• Bus network planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Taunusstein

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Subsidies – Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis: The largest revenue component (~57% of total annual budget of approx. €27M). The district provides annual subsidies via a Kreislage and Schulumlage, with the 2025 contribution set at €15.7M (including ~€8.4M for student transport and ~€7.4M for general public transport). The Kreistag has committed to a minimum annual increase of 1.5% in shareholder contributions through at least 2030.
2. Fare Revenue via RMV: Ticket revenue (~23% of funding) flows through the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) tariff system. Includes revenue from single tickets, day passes, subscriptions, the Deutschlandticket, and discounted schemes such as the Schülerticket and HessenPass Mobil. Also encompasses compensation payments from RMV for reduced-fare tickets.
3. State of Hesse Funding and Compensation: Approximately 10% of total funding comes from Hesse state grants and compensation payments for concessionary fare schemes. Includes project-specific funding such as the €2.25M Smart Traffic Management grant under 'Starke Heimat Hessen' (90% funding rate) for sensor deployment.
4. Municipal Co-Funding for Local and Special Services: Approximately 10% sourced from cities and municipalities within the district for city-specific services, special event routes (e.g., Rheingau Musik Festival), cross-border lines, and dedicated school transport arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

RTV is the mandated local public transport authority (Aufgabenträger) for the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis, organizing, planning, procuring, and quality-managing all local bus services across the district. It coordinates ~160 daily vehicles across scheduled routes, demand-responsive shuttles (Rufbus, EMIL, TaunusFLEX), and dedicated school transport (serving ~9,750 students), integrating them with the RMV tariff network and digital booking/app platforms.

Product overview

RTV operates as a service-oriented mobility provider organizing local bus transport in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis. The core offering consists of scheduled Linienverkehr (bus service) with approximately 160 vehicles covering 6.2 million km annually, supported by Schülerverkehr (school transport) serving ~9,750 students daily. Demand-responsive services include Rufbus (call buses), the electric EMIL on-demand shuttles in Taunusstein/Idstein, and the new TaunusFLEX on-demand service in Bad Schwalbach/Heidenrod/Hohenstein. The portfolio is enhanced by Smart Traffic Management (sensor-based real-time passenger counting with AI predictions), the Busschule safety education program, and special services like freigestellter Schülerverkehr for students with disabilities. All services integrate with the RMV ticketing system and can be booked via the OnDemand@RMV app or managed through the MobiZentrale customer center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Linienverkehr (Scheduled Bus Service) Regular scheduled local bus transport across the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis operated by contracted traffic companies, with ~160 vehicles running daily, covering 6.2M+ km/year across multiple route bundles including express lines to Wiesbaden.
• Schülerverkehr (School Transport) Daily transport for ~9,750 students across 64 bus lines and 168 vehicles; more than half of all district lines are oriented toward school transport. Coordination with schools via dedicated booking interface.
• Rufbus (Call Bus) Demand-responsive bus service operating on fixed routes only when pre-booked by phone or digitally; serves rural areas with smaller vehicles (up to 12 seats). 105,205 passengers in 2024 in the Rheingau region.
• TaunusFLEX On-demand shuttle service replacing scheduled lines during off-peak hours in Bad Schwalbach, Heidenrod, and parts of Hohenstein, with Kleinbuses operating on fixed stops only.
• EMIL Electric on-demand shuttle operating in Taunusstein and Idstein with virtual stops and flexible routing; powered by VIA software platform. 50,236 passengers in 2024 in Taunusstein alone.
• Freigestellter Schülerverkehr Specialized door-to-door transport for ~500 children and young people with disabilities to special education facilities, plus special trips for swimming lessons, excursions, and sports.
• Busschule (Bus School) Safety education program teaching children aged 6–14 safe behavior at bus stops and on buses, with practical training at real bus sites using actual city buses and professional drivers.
• MobiZentrale Taunusstein Physical customer service center at Taunusstein Hahn providing passenger information, ticket sales, travel planning assistance, and digital registration for on-demand services (open Mon–Fri 7:30–17:00).

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,500 daily passengers served across all services
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRMV is the regional transport association that coordinates, co-finances, and integrates public transit across the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main metropolitan area. RTV operates as a contracted member operator within the RMV network, using the unified RMV tariff for ticketing and receiving fare revenue and compensation through the RMV. RMV also provides data infrastructure including the OnDemand@RMV booking platform, the RMVgo passenger app, and connection to the broader regional transport network including rail.
• Engelhardt Omnibusbetrieb GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned bus company founded 1965 in Heidenrod. Both a tour operator and contracted line operator for RTV in the Bad Schwalbach and Taunusstein area. Awarded RTV's 2025 'Most Reliable Traffic Company' prize. Partner in the TaunusFLEX pilot project as the operating traffic company for on-demand Kleinbusse on lines 201, 205, 207, and 212.
• Martin Becker GmbH & Co.KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraditional bus company operating since 1929 with ~150 employees, serving RTV lines 170, 172, 173, and 175 in the Rheingau region. Handles both scheduled and special event services including the annual Rheingau Musik Festival special buses to Kloster Eberbach.
• ALV Oberhessen GmbH & Co. KGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation of medium-sized bus companies operating 90+ lines with ~300 vehicles across several Hessian districts. Since 2023, ALV operates Rheingau Mitte and Rheingau West line bundles for RTV, bringing regional anchoring and in-house workshops.
• DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary of Deutsche Bahn serving the Idstein/Waldems and Aar region, and the Kreisquerverbindung (line 265, a pilot project running through 2026). Brings the operational scale and standards of a national transport group to RTV's rural network.
• ESE Verkehrsgesellschaft mbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOperating since 2004 in central Hesse. Since 2023, ESE operates the Niedernhausen/Idstein and Idstein/Hühnerkirche line bundles for RTV, providing scheduled local bus services in the northern district.
• Köhler Transfer GmbH & Co. KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialized transport company providing daily door-to-door transport for children and adults with disabilities to schools, workshops, and day care facilities. Enables the 'freigestellter Schülerverkehr' (exempt special needs school transport) component of RTV's student transport programme.
• VIA (Via Transportation Inc.)coreTechnology or IntegrationUS-founded technology company (2012) and global leader in on-demand transport software. Provides the routing, dispatch, and ride-pooling software for RTV's EMIL on-demand shuttles in Taunusstein and Idstein, and powers the TaunusFLEX system. Via's platform handles passenger matching, route optimization, and cashless payment processing.
• Rheingau-Taunus-Bedarfsverkehrs GmbH (RTB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTB is a newly founded 100%-owned subsidiary of the RTK Holding GmbH, established end of May 2025. It serves as the general contractor for demand-responsive transport (Bedarfsverkehre) and exempt special school transport in the district. RTV works closely with RTB as a key operational partner in implementing flexible mobility solutions.
• Klaus Weber OmnibusbetriebminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily bus company in Hünstetten-Bechtheim (3rd and 4th generation since 1938). As RTV partner, it operates swimming, sports, and special needs school transport runs.
• Refa Regionale Fahrdienste GmbH Rhein-MainminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily business with 40+ years operating exempt school transport and transport for people with disabilities in the Rhein-Main area. Partners with RTV for special needs student transport services.
• Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis (District Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe district (Landkreis) is the sole shareholder (100% ownership) of RTV. It provides the operational mandate under ÖPNVG, funds ~57% of the annual budget (Gesellschafterumlage), chairs the shareholders' meeting through the district administrator (Landrat), and sets strategic direction through the district council (Kreistag). The district also hosts the RTK Holding, which owns the RTB subsidiary.
• PlanersocietätminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTransport planning consultancy engaged to develop the Nahverkehrsplan (local transport plan) 2025–2030 for Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis and Wiesbaden. Conducted data analyses, microscopic mobility simulations, and stakeholder workshops as part of the plan's preparation.
• Regierungspräsidium (Regional Administrative Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe regional government authority acts as the licensing and regulatory body for public transport operations in Hesse. RTV works with the Regierungspräsidium on concession approvals and compliance with the Personenbeförderungsgesetz (Passenger Transport Act).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• ioki GmbH: Deutsche Bahn subsidiary providing on-demand transport software platforms for rural and suburban mobility, directly competing with RTV's technology partner VIA. Participated in the Nahverkehrsplan 2030 process as a demand-responsive planning expert.

Regional players

• Wiesbaden Mobilität (ESWE Verkehr): City transport operator for the state capital Wiesbaden, immediately adjacent to the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis and jointly developing the Nahverkehrsplan 2025-2030 with RTV. Comparable in technology adoption and RMV integration but serves a denser urban geography.

Direct peers

• Main-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH: Sibling municipal Aufgabenträger for the adjacent Main-Taunus-Kreis, also operating within the RMV network with similar statutory mandate, demand-responsive services, and integration with Hessian state funding programmes. The most directly comparable peer by size, mandate, and operating model.
• Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft AG (KVG): Municipal transit operator in Northern Hesse combining Aufgabenträger planning with direct vehicle operation. Comparable to RTV in regulatory mandate under ÖPNVG and rural/urban transit mix, but with the addition of tram operations.
• Lahn-Dill-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (LDVG): Municipal transport authority for Lahn-Dill-Kreis in Hesse, performing the same Aufgabenträger function as RTV under §6 ÖPNVG — coordinating local bus services, school transport, and demand-responsive transit across a rural Hessian district of comparable scale.

Broad incumbents

• Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt am Main (VGF): Municipal transit operator for Frankfurt within the same RMV network as RTV, providing U-Bahn, tram, and bus services. Comparable as a Hesse municipal transport authority but operates at significantly larger scale and complexity within an urban core.
• HVV Hamburger Verkehrsverbund: Large-scale German Verkehrsverbund serving the Hamburg metropolitan region, providing a benchmark for integrated transit authority operations, digital ticketing, and demand-responsive service models at much greater scale than RTV.
• RMV Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund: The regional transport association that RTV operates within and is a contracted partner of. RMV sets the integrated tariff, provides the digital platforms (RMVgo, OnDemand@RMV), and coordinates member operators — a structural counterparty and partial regulator of RTV's services.
• DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbH: Subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn operating regional bus services in Hesse, including contract lines for RTV. Comparable as a major contracted operator in the district and as a broader incumbent in German regional transit with national scale and standards.

Others

• VIA Transportation Inc. Global on-demand transit software provider powering RTV's EMIL and TaunusFLEX services. Comparable as a critical technology enabler and as an emerging software layer in the European rural on-demand mobility market where RTV competes with ioki and Padam.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Instagraminstagram.com/rtv_rtk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Rheingau-Taunus-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (RTV)