Regiobahn
Regiobahn is a municipal regional railway operator in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, running the S28 and RE47 passenger rail lines under VRR contracts. It owns 25 km of rail infrastructure, 9 stations, and is transitioning its fleet to battery-electric and electric trains.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersMettmann, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Regiobahn does
Regiobahn is a municipal regional railway company based in Mettmann, Germany, operating passenger rail services in North Rhine-Westphalia under exclusive contracts with the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR). The company operates through two legal entities: Regiobahn GmbH, which owns approximately 25 kilometers of railway infrastructure and 9 traffic stations, and Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, which runs the train operations. Its service portfolio consists of two core rail lines — the S28 (S-Bahn service connecting Kaarster See with Wuppertal Hbf over 48.4 km) and the RE47 Düssel-Wupper-Express (connecting Remscheid-Lennep with Düsseldorf Hbf, launched December 2022). Combined annual traffic volume reaches approximately 2.13 million train kilometers. Since January 2024, VRR has been the majority shareholder, having enabled the procurement of new rolling stock.
The company is mid-transition from diesel Integral trains to a modernized fleet. The RE47 line is being relaunched in summer 2026 using Siemens Mobility Mireo Smart Plus B battery-electric multiple units — the first BEMU deployment in NRW, offering up to 120 km battery range, 140 km/h top speed, and zero direct emissions. The S28 line will receive Stadler FLIRT XL electric multiple units following completion of an ongoing ~45 km overhead line electrification project. Supporting infrastructure includes digital passenger information displays deployed across all stations in 2025, an electronic signal box (ESTW) at Mettmann Stadtwald, and integration with VRR tariff and ticketing platforms. The company employs more than 150 staff at its Mettmann headquarters.
Revenue mechanics are anchored in public procurement: Regiobahn receives contracted payments from VRR for operating the S28 and RE47 lines, supplemented by farebox revenue collected through the VRR tariff system and government subsidies for regional rail. Customer segments include daily commuters to Düsseldorf (primary), leisure travelers, senior citizens (with dedicated training programs), and cyclists using combined bike-rail options. Distribution occurs via 19 stations along the S28, the Kundencenter in Mettmann, VRR TicketShop online, and automated ticket machines. Customer service enhancements include the Pünktlichkeitsversprechen punctuality guarantee (refunds for delays over 10 minutes) and the Mobilitätsgarantie NRW (taxi/alternative transport reimbursement for delays exceeding 20 minutes).
Regiobahn firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Regiobahn
- Legal name
- Regionale Bahngesellschaft Kaarst-Neuss-Düsseldorf-Erkrath-Mettmann-Wuppertal mbH
- Website
- https://regio-bahn.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Regiobahn is a municipal regional railway operator in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, running the S28 and RE47 passenger rail lines under VRR contracts. It owns 25 km of rail infrastructure, 9 stations, and is transitioning its fleet to battery-electric and electric trains.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Regiobahn industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Regional Rail Transportation
- NAICS
- Line-Haul Railroads (482111), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Railroad Switching & Terminal Establishments (4013), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Light Rail Transit (LRT) Operators (TLAFAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Rail Replacement Bus Services (Operator-Managed Substitution) (THAIACAK)
Keywords
Where Regiobahn is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mettmann
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Regiobahn business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Public Rail Transport Operations: Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft mbH operates the S28 and RE47 lines under contract with the VRR (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr), providing approximately 1.6 million train kilometers annually on S28 and 534,000 train kilometers on RE47. Revenue is derived from public transport fares and government subsidies for regional rail services.
- Ticket Sales: Direct ticket sales through the Kundencenter in Mettmann, online via VRR TicketShop, and at automated ticket machines at stations.
- Infrastructure Management: Regiobahn GmbH owns approximately 25 kilometers of railway infrastructure, 9 traffic stations, servicing facilities in Mettmann Stadtwald, and a freight station in Dornap Hahnenfurth.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Single tickets and day passes through VRR tariff system |
| Subscription | Monthly | Deutschlandticket as employer-provided job ticket |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Punctuality Promise refund scheme |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bicycle ticket for bike transportation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Regiobahn product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Regiobahn is a regional railway operator in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, operating through two entities: Regiobahn GmbH, which owns and manages approximately 25 km of railway infrastructure including 9 stations, and Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, which operates passenger train services on the S28 line (Kaarster See to Wuppertal Hbf) and the RE47 line (Düsseldorf-Wupper-Express) under contract to the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).
Product overview
Regiobahn operates as a regional railway service provider in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, through two companies: Regiobahn GmbH (railway infrastructure company) and Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft mbH (railway transport company). The core product offering consists of two rail lines: S 28 (S-Bahn service between Kaarster See and Wuppertal Hbf) and RE 47 (Düssel-Wupper-Express between Remscheid-Lennep and Düsseldorf). Currently transitioning from diesel Integral trains to battery-electric Mireo Smart Plus B trains for RE 47 and future FLIRT electric trains for S 28 following infrastructure electrification. Supporting services include customer center, timetable information, ticket sales, mobility guarantees, and the Digital Station project for real-time passenger information.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- S28 Line Service
- RE47 Düsseldorf-Wupper-Express
- Rail Infrastructure Management
Quantifiable outcome
- 1.6 million train km annually (S28)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Regiobahn
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Regiobahn technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
Regiobahn partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Siemens MobilitycoreSiemens Mobility provides Mireo Smart Plus B battery-electric trains for the RE47 line. These innovative second-generation BEMU (battery-electric multiple unit) trains offer up to 120 km range, 140 km/h maximum speed, and can operate on both electrified and non-electrified sections using battery power. Maintenance will be performed at Siemens Mobility's Rail Service Center in Dortmund.
- Smart Train Lease GmbHcoreSmart Train Lease arranged the short-term procurement of Mireo Smart Plus B battery-electric trains from Siemens Mobility. As a specialist in rail vehicle solutions, they enabled the rapid deployment of the trains for the RE47 line within a short timeframe.
- Allianz pro SchieneminorAllianz pro Schiene is a German alliance promoting environmentally friendly and safe rail transport. Regiobahn is a member of this coalition.
- Stadler Pankow GmbHcoreFuture FLIRT XL trains from Stadler Pankow GmbH will be deployed on the S28 line after completion of electrification. These 3-car electric multiple units will feature 180 seats, six wide double doors, wheelchair areas, toilets, sockets, and free WLAN.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Regiobahn competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr AöR (VRR): Public transport authority and majority shareholder of Regiobahn. Functions as both customer/contracting authority and owner; central counterparty and governance entity for Regiobahn's operations.
- Siemens Mobility GmbH: Supplier of the Mireo Smart Plus B BEMU trains being deployed on Regiobahn's RE47 line. Strategic enabling partner; relevant as the OEM whose product roadmap defines Regiobahn's future service quality.
Direct peers
- VIAS Rail GmbH: Regional rail operator running Odenwaldbahn and other concession services. Comparable mid-tier private operator competing for state-subsidized regional concessions under similar regulatory frameworks.
- eurobahn (Keolis): Keolis Germany's NRW-focused regional rail brand operating multiple S-Bahn and RE lines. Closely comparable as a contracted regional operator serving overlapping commuter corridors in eastern NRW.
- Keolis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG: Operates regional rail concessions in Germany including the eurobahn brand in NRW. Direct competitor for VRR concession tenders with overlapping target passenger corridors in the Rhein-Ruhr region.
- National Express Germany GmbH: Privately operated regional rail concessionaire in NRW (e.g., RE lines in the Rhein-Ruhr region). Directly competes with Regiobahn for VRR-awarded contracts under similar tariff and subsidy frameworks.
- Transdev Rhein-Ruhr GmbH: Transdev's German regional rail subsidiary operating multiple NRW concession lines. Directly comparable as a contracted regional rail operator in the same VRR service area with similar concession-based revenue model.
- NordWestBahn GmbH: Transdev subsidiary operating Regional-Express and S-Bahn services in NRW and Lower Saxony. Comparable mid-sized private regional operator with similar contracted revenue model and rolling stock profile.
- Hessische Landesbahn GmbH (HLB): Mid-sized regional rail operator active in Hessen, NRW, and Rhineland-Palatinate. Comparable as a contracted operator with a similar fleet-renewal trajectory and concession-based revenue structure.
Broad incumbents
- DB Regio AG: Deutsche Bahn's regional rail arm and Germany's largest S-Bahn/Regional-Express operator. Comparable as the dominant NRW regional rail concession holder; competes with Regiobahn for tenders but operates at vastly greater scale across multiple federal states.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Regiobahn social profiles
Digital presenceRegiobahn compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Regiobahn financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Regiobahn leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Regiobahn funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Regiobahn M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Regiobahn
What does Regiobahn do?
Regiobahn is a regional railway operator in Germany's Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area, operating through two entities: Regiobahn GmbH, which owns and manages approximately 25 km of railway infrastructure including 9 stations, and Regiobahn Fahrbetriebsgesellschaft mbH, which operates passenger train services on the S28 line (Kaarster See to Wuppertal Hbf) and the RE47 line (Düsseldorf-Wupper-Express) under contract to the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).
Is Regiobahn a public or private company?
Regiobahn is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Regiobahn founded?
Regiobahn was founded in 1999. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Regiobahn based?
Regiobahn is headquartered in Mettmann, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Regiobahn make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Public Rail Transport Operations are the primary driver. The others are ticket Sales and infrastructure Management.
Who are Regiobahn's main competitors?
Others on record are Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr AöR (VRR) and Siemens Mobility GmbH. Direct peers are VIAS Rail GmbH, eurobahn (Keolis), Keolis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, National Express Germany GmbH, Transdev Rhein-Ruhr GmbH, NordWestBahn GmbH and Hessische Landesbahn GmbH (HLB). DB Regio AG is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Regiobahn have an API?
No public API is recorded for Regiobahn.
What industry is Regiobahn in?
Regiobahn's product category is Regional Rail Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAEAB, Light Rail Transit (LRT) Operators, with a secondary code of THAIACAK, Rail Replacement Bus Services (Operator-Managed Substitution). Its NAICS code is 482111 and its SIC code is 4013.