Our mission
eurobahn provides transport on 15 lines on behalf of the VRR, NWL, LNVG and Overijssel province. But how exactly are services allocated? And in which networks, with how many trains, and since when has eurobahn been active? In the following we will give you some useful insights and overviews.
The role of the transport authority
Since the regionalisation act came into force on 27 December 1993, local public transport service providers have been responsible for the organisation and financing of local public transport. This also includes regional rail passenger transport. eurobahn currently serves three networks; from December 2017 this will be four and from 2019 it will serve five networks.
Who are the transport authorities?
Transport authorities are public bodies. For the most part, these are limited companies. Their employees generally have particular competences in law, economics and operational planning. In North Rhine-Westphalia there are three transport authorities: the Rhine-Ruhr regional transport association (VRR), the Westphalia-Lippe regional transport association (NWL) and the Rhineland regional transport association (NVR).
How does the system work?
The structure of regional rail passenger transport mirrors the federal system in place in Germany. The 16 German states manage the service providers that organise, finance and regulate regional train transport. These 27 transport authorities throughout Germany tender for transport services and award transport contracts. Railway undertakings such as eurobahn bid for these tenders and fulfil contracts for a fixed period of time.
16 German states
manage the service providers that organise regional train transport.
27 transport authorities
tender for transport services and award transport contracts.
Over 80 rail transport companies
Rail transport companies fulfil the contracts.