Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT)

What Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT) does

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT) is a publicly owned transport association (GmbH) founded in 2001 and headquartered in Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate, that coordinates public bus and rail services across the city of Trier and four surrounding districts (Bernkastel-Wittlich, Bitburg-Prüm, Vulkaneifel, Trier-Saarburg), plus cross-border connections into Luxembourg. VRT does not operate vehicles itself; instead it unifies tariffs, ticketing, journey planning, and revenue distribution across 16+ contracted transport operators including DB Regio Bus Mitte, CFL Luxembourg, SWT Stadtwerke Trier, Transdev/Moselweinbahn, MB Moselbahn, bkr mobility, EMV, Saargau Linie, and Tempus mobil.

The core technology platform centers on the VRT-Fahrplanauskunft online timetable system and the VRT mobil mobile app (100,000+ Google Play downloads, 4.5 stars), both developed and maintained with technology partner MENTZ GmbH. The app supports real-time journey planning, multi-modal ticketing (single, day, multi-ride, subscription, and the nationwide 63 EUR/month Deutschlandticket), on-demand booking for VRT-FlexBus (via ioki GmbH dispatch) and VRT-RufBus, payment via PayPal/credit card/SEPA/LOGPAY, and map rendering through Google Maps and OpenStreetMap. A separate VRT D-Jobticket app handles employer-subsidized subscriptions.

Commercially, VRT functions primarily as a tariff coordinator and digital platform rather than a direct revenue recipient: ticket revenue is collected through app, bus, ticket machine, customer offices, and DB chip card channels, then distributed to operating carriers. The company earns coordination fees and public-sector funding from its municipal owners. Its customer base spans regular commuters, university students (via Deutschlandsemesterticket), cross-border workers, families, tourists, and schoolchildren (via the VRT-SchülerMobilTicket, often free of charge since September 2023). Product extensions in 2025–2026 — FlexBus on-demand, Luxembourg cross-border pilot, Zahlungsübernahme family payment transfer, and the new ZOB Gerolstein infrastructure — point to a steady modernization agenda rather than rapid expansion.

Name

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT)

Legal name

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT)

Website

https://vrt-info.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT) is a publicly owned German transport association that unifies tariffs, ticketing, and journey planning across bus and rail operators serving the city of Trier, four surrounding Rhineland-Palatinate districts, and cross-border Luxembourg connections.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Transportation Services

NAICS

Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (485), Other Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation (48599), Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (485210), Support Activities for Transportation (488)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Transportation & Transfers Coordination (HSACAKAD)

Keywords

• Regional public transportation
• Integrated transit ticketing
• Multimodal journey planning
• On-demand bus services
• Public transport coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Trier, Rheinland-Pfalz

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales Revenue (Public Transport Fees): VRT operates as a public transport association that coordinates fare collection and revenue distribution among member transportation companies. Revenue is generated through ticket sales across various products (Deutschlandticket at 63 EUR/month, single tickets, day tickets, group tickets) which are distributed to operating transport companies. VRT acts as the coordinating body rather than direct revenue recipient.
2. Germany Ticket Sales Coordination: The Deutschlandticket (63 EUR/month) generates revenue that is distributed to regional transport companies. VRT facilitates sales through its app and coordinates with DB Regio Bus Mitte for chip card distribution, collecting subscription fees and passing through to operating companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT) coordinates regional bus and rail services and provides a unified ticketing, timetable and customer-information system for travelers in the Trier region. Its services include online journey planning, the VRT mobil app, a broad ticket portfolio, and bookable RufBus, FlexBus and RadBusse services, with cross-border connections to Luxembourg.

Product overview

Verkehrsverbund Region Trier GmbH (VRT) operates as a public transportation association serving the Trier region covering Eifel, Hunsrück, Mosel, Ruwer, Saar, and Sauer areas. The product portfolio centers on the VRT-Fahrplanauskunft (online timetable system) and VRT mobil App as the primary digital platforms, supplemented by a comprehensive range of ticket products. Ticket offerings include single-trip (VRT-EinzelTicket), day passes (VRT-TagesTicket Single/Gruppe), multi-ride cards (4-FahrtenTicket), subscription tickets (VRT-MobilTicket, VRT-SchülerMobilTicket, VRT-SchülerFreizeitTicket), and the nationwide Deutschlandticket with employer-subsidized Jobticket variant and student Semesterticket. Discount products include the VRT-SparKarte (up to 25% savings) and VRT-KombiTicket for combined event-transit travel. Specialized services include VRT-RufBus and VRT-FlexBus on-demand bus booking, RadBusse for bicycle transport, and the VRT-GästeTicket for visitors. The ecosystem is complemented by personal travel planning tools (Ticketberater, persönlicher Fahrplan), physical customer offices, and the VRT D-Jobticket App for employer subscription management. All services integrate with payment providers (PayPal, credit card, SEPA, LOGPAY) and mapping services (Google Maps, OpenStreetMap) through the mobile app.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VRT mobil: The primary mobile app of VRT offering timetable information, real-time updates, ticket purchasing, and on-demand bus (RufBus) booking.
• VRT-FlexBus
• VRT-RufBus
• Deutschlandticket
• VRT-MobilTicket
• VRT-SchülerMobilTicket
• VRT-SchülerFreizeitTicket
• Deutschlandticket Jobticket
• VRT-EinzelTicket
• VRT-TagesTicket
• 4-FahrtenTicket
• VRT-FahrradTicket
• Deutschlandsemesterticket
• VRT-KombiTicket
• VRT-GästeTicket
• VRT-Sparkarte

Products and services

• VRT-Fahrplanauskunft Online timetable and journey-planning system providing route planning, real-time departure and arrival information, fare calculation, connection viewing, route maps and walking directions to and from stops.
• VRT mobil App Free iOS and Android application for journey planning, real-time departure information, ticket purchases, payment through PayPal, credit card or SEPA, and booking of RufBus and FlexBus services.
• VRT D-Jobticket App Dedicated mobile application through which employers and employees can manage Deutschlandticket Jobticket subscriptions, including password recovery and cancellation coordinated through the employer.
• VRT-EinzelTicket Single-ride ticket for one-way travel on selected routes, with unlimited transfers between buses and trains and a validity period of 1–3 hours depending on the price zone.
• VRT-TagesTicket Day pass for unlimited bus and train travel within a selected validity area from the start of service until 4:00 AM the following day, available for one person or a group of up to five.
• 4-FahrtenTicket Four-ride ticket for Trier city transport, priced at the equivalent of three single tickets, with each ride valid for one hour after validation.
• Deutschlandticket Digital annual subscription distributed by VRT for 63 EUR per month, providing second-class travel on local buses, trains, trams, S-Bahn and U-Bahn services throughout Germany, with monthly cancellation by the 10th of the month.
• Deutschlandticket Jobticket Employer-subsidized Deutschlandticket variant requiring at least a 25% employer contribution, with an additional 5% discount available to employers that manage subscriptions through VRT.
• Deutschlandsemesterticket Semester transit ticket for students at Trier University and Trier University of Applied Sciences, valid throughout Germany and replacing the paper student ID as the transit pass.
• VRT-MobilTicket Digital season ticket for regular commuters, available through the app with an annual commitment and monthly installment payments.
• VRT-SchülerMobilTicket Reduced school mobility ticket for eligible children in classes 1–10 who meet the qualifying-distance requirements and are provided the service by the relevant city or county.
• VRT-SchülerFreizeitTicket Reduced leisure-transport ticket for school-age children and teenagers for travel on weekends and during school holidays.
• VRT-SparKarte Discount card for occasional travelers that provides savings of up to 25% on single tickets.
• VRT-KombiTicket Combined event and public-transport ticket in which an eligible event admission card also serves as a transit pass for travel to and from the event within the VRT area.
• VRT-GästeTicket B2B visitor-ticket product for hotels and tourism providers, often bundled with accommodation or leisure packages for guests and visitors.
• VRT-FahrradTicket Bicycle-transport ticket for buses and trains, priced at 4 EUR per trip on regular services; RadBuses require separate reservations.
• VRT-RufBus On-demand bus service for routes without regular service that must be booked at least one hour before departure through the app or telephone hotline.
• VRT-FlexBus Flexible on-demand bus service using GPS-based booking through a dedicated application, with a telephone-booking option for trips not covered by fixed routes.
• RadBusse Bicycle-oriented bus service with increased bicycle capacity that requires advance reservation through the RadBusse booking system.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 years of unified public transport coordination (since 2001)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• bkr mobility GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bus operator serving the Eifel-Kondelwald network and routes between Traben-Trarbach, Wittlich and Daun. Part of the VRT coordinated transport network providing scheduled bus services.
• CFL (Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxembourgish national railway company operating cross-border rail services between Koblenz and Luxembourg. Partner in cross-border public transport connectivity.
• DB Regio Bus Mitte GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Bahn regional bus division serving the Eifelmaare network. Also authorized distributor for Deutschlandticket chip cards and handles replacement card services for students.
• DB Regio Bus Rhein-Mosel GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Bahn regional bus operator serving the Östliche Vulkaneifel network between Kelberg, Ulmen and Daun.
• EMV Eifel-Mosel Verkehrsgesellschaft mbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator responsible for Neuerburger Land and Waldeifel networks connecting Bitburg, Neuerburg, Waxweiler, Vianden, Prüm, Speicher and St. Thomas regions.
• Gebr. André GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFamily-owned bus company operating the Schneifel network connecting Gerolstein, Prüm, Clervaux and Sankt Vith.
• Jozi-Reisen GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving the Ruwertal-Hochwald network between Trier, Hermeskeil and Zerf.
• Linden-Reisen GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving the Kylltal network between Stadtkyll, Hillesheim, Gerolstein and Densborn.
• MB Moselbahn Verkehrsbetriebsgesellschaft mbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoselle railway transport company operating bus services on Mosel and Römische Weinstraße routes between Trier and Traben-Trarbach.
• Müller-Kylltal-Reisen GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving the Trier-Land network between Ralingen, Welschbillig and Trier.
• Saargau Linie on Tour GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving the Saargau network between Konz, Saarburg and Konzer Tälchen. Also contracted operator for VRT-FlexBus on-demand services.
• Scherer Reisen Omnibus Gesellschaft mbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving RNN Line 800 between Trier and Idar-Oberstein.
• SWT Stadtwerke Trier Verkehrs-GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal utility transport company operating Trier city bus services. Co-manages the joint VRT-SWT online ticket shop for digital ticket sales.
• Tempus mobil GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBus operator serving the Südeifel network between Trier, Bitburg, Neuerburg and Echternacherbrück.
• Transdev Verkehr GmbH/MoselweinbahncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransdev subsidiary operating the Moselweinbahn (RB85 rail service) between Bullay, Reil, Kövenig and Traben-Trarbach.
• Saar MobilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bus operator serving Saarland connections to VRT network area.
• DB Vertrieb GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDeutsche Bahn sales subsidiary handling nationwide rail ticketing and distribution services including moveRLP app and ticket shop.
• ioki GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing the booking and dispatching software platform for VRT-FlexBus on-demand bus services.
• MENTZ GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology developer for the VRT mobil app (copyright holder per App Store listing). Provides app development and maintenance services.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MVV (Münchner Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund): Munich's regional Verkehrsverbund coordinating bus, U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and tram across the greater Munich area. Closely mirrors VRT's role as a unified tariff and journey-planning hub for a multi-operator network.
• VBB (Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg): Berlin-Brandenburg's regional transport association operating the VBB Fahrinfo app and unified ticketing system. Directly comparable to VRT in coordinating multiple operators, providing journey planning, and selling Deutschlandticket subscriptions.
• HVV (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund): Hamburg's regional transport association providing integrated ticketing, journey planner, and Deutschlandticket sales. A direct peer in operating model (coordinating body) and product portfolio (Deutschlandticket, single tickets, subscriptions).
• RNV (Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH) / VRN: Rhine-Neckar regional transport association covering parts of Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Hesse. Operates as a direct peer to VRT in coordinating regional operators, providing app-based ticketing, and serving cross-jurisdictional passenger flows.
• NVV (Nordhessischer Verkehrsverbund): Regional Verkehrsverbund for northern Hesse covering a more rural geography similar to VRT's Eifel/Hunsrück service area. Directly comparable as a mid-sized coordination body with on-demand bus services and Deutschlandticket distribution.
• RMV (Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund): One of Germany's largest Verkehrsverbünde coordinating public transport across the Frankfurt/Rhine-Main region. Directly comparable to VRT as a regional tariff and ticketing association uniting multiple bus and rail operators under one brand and digital app.
• VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr): Major Verkehrsverbund in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region offering unified ticketing, journey planning, and coordination across bus, rail, and light rail. Comparable to VRT as a regional transport association with a member-operator model.

Broad incumbents

• DB Regio: Deutsche Bahn's regional bus/rail operating subsidiary and key VRT member (DB Regio Bus Mitte, Bus Rhein-Mosel). A peer at the operating-company level that VRT coordinates rather than competes with, but functionally comparable in regional bus services.

Others

• MENTZ GmbH: German mobility software developer credited as the VRT mobil app's copyright holder. An enabling technology peer comparable to VRT's digital ticketing stack — many other Verkehrsverbünde also rely on MENTZ for journey planning and ticketing apps.
• ioki GmbH: Deutsche Bahn subsidiary providing on-demand mobility software platforms; VRT's technology partner for FlexBus booking and dispatch. Comparable as an enabling technology provider in the regional on-demand mobility space adjacent to VRT's FlexBus service.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vrtinfo
• Facebookfacebook.com/VRTInfo
• Instagraminstagram.com/vrtinfo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/verkehrsverbund-region-trier-gmbh-vrt

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Region Trier GmbH (VRT)