For over 25 years, the VRR has been offering more than seven million people in 62 communities a low-cost, modern and convenient alternative to driving their own cars. Our partners include 25 local public transport companies, Deutsche Bahn AG (the German railways) as well as three additional private railway companies. More than 4 million people travel on their lines every day - over 1.2 million of them regularly.
How many kilometres do our buses and trains travel? How much money do communities contribute to public transport? All the important details and answers are offered here.
(This information is only available in German.)
Our map shows which public transport providers are operating within the VRR area.
(This information is only available in German.)
In 1978, the predecessor of the VRR was founded. On the January 1st, 1980, the VRR went into operation. This brief chronicle shows the development of the VRR and its achievements until today.
1980
Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr founded in Düsseldorf
1981
Stadtbahn network extended to 51.9 kilometers
New headquarters of Verkehrsverbund established in Gelsenkirchen
1982
Family ticket introduced as special offer
Lower fares for passengers under 14 introduced
1985
Short trip ticket introduced (valid for all trips under 2 kilometres)
Launch of discounted ticket for trips begun after 9 a.m.
VRR offers so-called KombiTickets for fairs and special offers for big events
1986
Kombi-ticket range extended
1987
Joined the SchnellBus (express bus) network
Start of implementation of sequence time tables and improvement of offers within public passenger transport
1988
Streamlining of tariffs by condensing and combining price zones
1989
First NachtExpress-net in the tariff area starts in Dortmund
1990
Transformation of the VRR from trade association to communal association: VRR GmbH becomes management company of the Zweckverband VRR
Electronic Ticketing goes into operation
1991
Introduction of Ticket2000
Passenger count increased by 15 percent
1992
New cash ticketing system
Reduction of price zones to three plus short trip ticket
For the first time, annual number of passengers exceeds 1 billion
Implementation of seasonal tickets for students (SemesterTicket)
Introduction of a Germany-wide hotline for local transport inquiries by VRR
1995
Launch of YoungTicketExtra for pupils and trainees
1996
First request for bids for operation of a rail line connection within the VRR area as a consequence of new regional and legal structures and opening of market (REGIOBAHN S28 Kaarst-Mettmann)
StadtBusDormagen GmbH (SDG) joins the VRR
Zweckverband VRR takes over task management for railway public passenger transport
1997
New railway public passenger transport contract between Deutsche Bahn and VRR
1998
Introduction of integral sequence timetable (ITF): railway transport services increase by 2.4 million kilometres annually
1999
VRR implements the “Quality Scouts” (QualitätsScouts) programme
2000
Biggest tariff reform since 1990: VRR optimises tariff structure
Ticket2000 relaunch: Ticket2000neu and introduction of Ticket1000
Short trip tickets designed to be even more customer-friendly
Implementation of the “Schlaue Nummer für Bus & Bahn,” a universal customer services hotline for all of North Rhine-Westphalia
2002
Second level of integral sequence timetable: VRR raises its railway public passenger transport services range by 10 percent
VRR-area wide start of the SchokoTicket for pupils
2003
Systemwide introduction of chip card tickets
Extension of VRR-range of subscription offers: introduction of Bärenticket for seniors
For the first time, annual number of paying customers exceeds 1 billion
2004
The VRR initiates the initiative "fit & mobil" (fit & mobile) for BärenTicket owners. This includes a wide range of attractive offers complementing the BärenTicket.
Online timetable information now available in numerous languages.
2005
Looking back on a successful development, the VRR celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since its inception in 1980, customer numbers and the entire transportation network have been expanded continually.
The VRR celebrates its 25th anniversary. The continual increase of customer numbers and expansion of the public transportation network since 1980 have made the last 25 years a success.
The Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr organises regional public transport on several different levels of operation:
Creation of the AöR - a new organization for a more efficient VRR
During their meeting in September, 2004, the Advisory Board of the VRR founded an "Anstalt öffentlichen Rechts" (AöR). The goal of this new organization is to turn the VRR into an even more efficient and effective public transportation company by streamlining und unifying the internal administration. This decision laid the ground work for the future composition of the VRR, allowing it to present itself a homogenous organization.
The AöR is a subsidiary of the Zweckverband VRR. It will initially take over key tasks of the Zweckverband, most notably the divisions Public Transport Management and Finance. Martin Husmann and Klaus Vorgang lead this organization.
The main task of the VRR AöR is the local public transport - organisation and coordination of quality and service within the VRR operating area, the development of urban railway transport, development and implementation of tariffs and tickets, launch of ticket range and marketing as well as public relations.
Zweckverband VRR - a union of cities and districts
Within the Zweckverband Rhein-Ruhr, 19 cities and 5 districts have formed a union. Due to the regional laws of the land of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Zweckverband VRR is responsible for tasks relating to railway passenger traffic. The Zweckverband is responsible for making sure that passengers will be transported by ordering transport services for passengers at the railway companies (S-Bahn, RegionalBahn, RegionalExpress), and by controlling the performance and service. In addition, the Zweckverband is responsible for financial matters relating to costs for public transport within the different cities and districts.
The most important committee of the Zweckverband VRR is the board of the association. This is made up of representatives of the cities and districts and works like a "parliament". Here, essential decisions are made and the chairperson of the association is elected. The chairperson is head of the Zweckverband VRR and chief employer of all staff members.
On the spot: the job of the local transport enterprises
The local transport enterprises operate busses and train routes. They are responsible for route planning and timetables, ticket distribution and direct customer services.
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