Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland Gmbh

What Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland Gmbh does

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH, operating under the brand name "start," is a Frankfurt am Main-based regional rail passenger transport operator (SPNV — Schienenpersonennahverkehr) and a 100% wholly-owned subsidiary of DB Regio AG, itself part of Deutsche Bahn AG. Founded in 2016, the company competes for and operates regional rail networks won through public competitive tenders (Verkehrsausschreibungen) issued by German state-level transport authorities (Aufgabenträger). Its customers are twofold: end consumers (daily commuters, students, leisure travelers) using regional rail services, and the awarding government bodies (LNVG, RMV, NASA, VRR) that fund operations through multi-year Verkehrsverträge.

The company's core offering is the operation of contracted regional rail networks with their associated fleets, staff, and service quality. It currently runs four networks — Start Unterelbe (RE5, since December 2018, ~1.59M train-km/year, 115 km, 13 stops), Start Niedersachsen Mitte (since December 2021, ~4.5M train-km/year, LINT fleet), Start Taunus/RMV-Taunusnetz (since December 2022, four RB lines), and Start Mitteldeutschland (since December 2024, ~8.4M train-km/year within Saxony-Anhalt, the largest network) — and is preparing to launch a fifth, the cross-border Maas-Wupper-Express RE13 from Hamm to Eindhoven, in December 2026 with 20 new Stadler Flirt XL EMU4 trains. Operational technology stack is conventional rail operations supplemented by an in-house developed Ninox-based HR/contract database, a TÜV-approved mobile driver simulator (developed with GS-Mobile, Borco Hönns and Zusi Bahnsimulatoren, launched November 2025), electronic ticketing via chip-card validators, on-board video surveillance with automatic passenger counting (48–72 hour retention), and standard third-party integrations for payments (Payone), e-signatures (D-Trust), and web/social analytics.

start makes money exclusively through contract payments from public-sector authorities under Verkehrsverträge awarded via competitive bidding; ticket pricing and revenue are controlled by the Verkehrsverbünde, not by start, and the company participates in the söp conciliation procedure. Its GTM motion is sales-led at the tendering stage and operationally decentralized thereafter: each network is run by local specialists with short decision paths under the company's distinctive "Startokratie" holacratic management structure, while drawing on DB group resources (DB Einkauf procurement, DB Systemtechnik, DB Vertrieb ticketing) and operating under DB tariff agreements (GDL), positioning start against competitors on cost-optimized, non-wage-dumping operating concepts tailored to each contract.

Name

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland Gmbh

Legal name

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH

Website

https://startgmbh.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH ("start") is a Frankfurt-based regional rail passenger operator (SPNV) and 100% DB Regio AG subsidiary that runs contracted regional train networks in Germany — currently Unterelbe, Niedersachsen Mitte, Taunus, and Mitteldeutschland — for state transport authorities, with the cross-border Maas-Wupper-Express launching December 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Rail Passenger Transport

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Rail Operators (Non-Urban/Commuter-Style) (TLAFADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cross-Border/International Passenger Rail Operators (TLAFADAE)

Keywords

• Regional rail transport
• Passenger rail services
• Public transport contracts
• SPNV operations
• Rail network operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Transport Contract Operations: Revenue is generated through Verkehrsverträge (public transport contracts) won via competitive bidding from government transport authorities (Aufgabenträger). These contracts cover specific regional rail networks for defined periods, providing stable, contract-based revenue for operating passenger rail services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH (start) operates regional passenger rail networks (SPNV - Schienenpersonennahverkehr) across Germany under public transport contracts (Verkehrsverträge) won through competitive bidding from government transport authorities (Aufgabenträger). As a 100% subsidiary of DB Regio AG, the company operates five rail networks (Unterelbe, Niedersachsen Mitte, Taunus, Mitteldeutschland, and upcoming Maas-Wupper-Express) and provides related driver training, fleet operations, and passenger services while maintaining fair wages under DB tariff agreements (GDL).

Product overview

Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland GmbH (start) operates as a regional rail operator (SPNV) providing passenger rail services across five networks in Germany. The company, founded in 2016 as a 100% subsidiary of DB Regio AG, currently operates four active networks: Unterelbe (RE5), Niedersachsen Mitte (Heidekreuz and Weser-/Lammetalbahn), Taunus Network (RMV), and Mitteldeutschland. A fifth network, Maas-Wupper-Express (RE13), is planned for launch in December 2026. Services include electronic ticketing, video surveillance on vehicles, and a mobile simulator for driver training. The company uses a holocratic management structure (Startokratie) and supports the DB strategy 'Starke Schiene' for climate protection through rail transport.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Netz Unterelbe (RE5) Regional express line RE5 between Cuxhaven and Hamburg operated since December 2018 under contract awarded by Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG). Covers approximately 115 kilometers with 13 stops and runs approximately 1.59 million train kilometers annually using a fleet of 38 double-decker cars and 8 diesel locomotives maintained by Bombardier at Bremervörde.
• Netz Niedersachsen Mitte Rail network comprising Heidekreuz and Weser-/Lammetalbahn, operating since December 2021 under contract awarded by Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG). Covers approximately 4.5 million train kilometers annually with lines RB37, RB38, RB77, and RB79, using a fleet of 11 LINT II and 25 LINT VI low-floor vehicles.
• Taunusnetz (RMV) Regional rail network in the Rhein-Main area operated since December 2022 for the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV). Includes lines RB11 (Bad Soden-Frankfurt/Höchst), RB12 (Königstein-Frankfurt HBF), RB15 (Brandoberndorf-Frankfurt HBF), and RB16 (Friedberg-Bad Homburg). Administrative headquarters in Königstein in the Taunus region.
• Netz Mitteldeutschland Network of diesel-operated routes in Saxony-Anhalt launched December 2024 under contract awarded by Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH (NASA). Covers approximately 8.4 million train kilometers annually with routes including Magdeburg-Wolfsburg, Harz connections, Erfurt, Halle-Goslar, Dessau-Aschersleben, Stendal-Wolfsburg, and Naumburg-Wangen.
• Maas-Wupper-Express (RE 13) Cross-border regional express line connecting Hamm (Westfalen) with Eindhoven (Netherlands) via Venlo, with operations planned from December 2026. Covers 213.49 km with 24 stations including Wuppertal and Düsseldorf, requiring 20 new Flirt XL EMU4 trains from Stadler. Contract awarded by Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).
• Mobile Simulator Specially built mobile vehicle housing a train simulator for training, examinations, and education of train drivers at all service locations. Developed in partnership with GS-Mobile, Borco Höhns, and Zusi Bahnsimulatoren. TÜV approved with simulator pre-installed, providing realistic training environment comparable to actual cab without requiring assembly/disassembly.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contribution to reducing CO2 emissions by 10.5 million tons annually as part of DB's 'Starke Schiene' strategy
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• DB Regio AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company and sole shareholder. start is a 100% subsidiary of DB Regio AG, combining DB's resources, experience, and reliability with innovative operating models for regional rail transport. DB Regio provides access to infrastructure, procurement (DB Einkauf), and technical expertise (DB Systemtechnik) for fleet management.
• Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen (LNVG)coreOthersState-level transport authority that awards and funds regional rail contracts. LNVG provides vehicles (double-decker carriages, diesel locomotives for Unterelbe; LINT II and LINT VI for Niedersachsen Mitte) and oversees contract compliance.
• Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV)coreOthersTransport association for the Rhine-Main region that commissioned the Taunusnetz from start in December 2022.
• Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH (NASA)coreOthersState transport service company for Saxony-Anhalt that awarded the Mitteldeutschland network to start from December 2024, covering most diesel-operated routes in the state.
• Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR)coreOthersTransport association for the Rhine-Ruhr region that awarded the Maas-Wupper-Express (RE 13) contract to start. VRR commissions and owns the new fleet of 20 Flirt XL trains from Stadler.
• Stadler RailcoreTechnology or IntegrationTrain manufacturer providing 20 Flirt XL EMU4 four-part electric multiple units for the Maas-Wupper-Express. Production involves Rohbau (body shell manufacturing) in Szolnok, Hungary, with final assembly in Berlin-Pankow. First prototype scheduled for autumn testing, with series production from Q4 2025.
• DB Vertrieb GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSales and distribution partner handling ticket sales, fare reimbursement, and payment processing for transport services under joint controller agreement (Art. 26 DSGVO).

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• TikToktiktok.com/@start_gmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/regionalverkehre-start-deutschland-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Regionalverkehre Start Deutschland Gmbh