Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (VDV)

The Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (VDV) is a central industry association that represents the interests of around 700 companies in public passenger transport (ÖPV) and rail freight transport (SGV) in Germany. Founded in 1991 through the merger of the Verband Öffentlicher Verkehr (VÖV), the Bundesverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen, Motorwagen und Bergbahnen (BDE), and the VÖV of the former GDR, the VDV has a rich history that dates back to 1846.

• Public Passenger Transport: The member companies of the VDV transport 24 million passengers daily by bus and train, saving 17 million car trips and providing 77 billion passenger kilometers annually[2].
• Rail Freight Transport: In 2022, VDV companies transported 360 million tons of goods, replacing around 60,000 fully loaded trucks on German roads daily. Rail freight transport emits only about 16 grams of CO2 per ton-kilometer, compared to 121 grams of CO2 per ton-kilometer in road traffic[2].
• Standardization of Ticketing Systems: The VDV has developed the standard for electronic ticketing, the VDV core application (VDV-KA), which serves as the basis for the (((eTicket Deutschland system and enables interoperable use of public transport throughout Germany[3].

The VDV is committed to advancing the mobility transition in Germany and advocates for the expansion and higher quality of public transport. The VDV's vision is to make public transport better, more flexible, simpler, more innovative, and fairer. The focus is on sustainable development that includes everyone – in urban and rural areas[1].

• Climate Protection: The VDV is working to reduce the CO2 footprint of the transport sector. Through rail freight transport, 10 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were saved in 2022[2].
• Electrification of Buses: The VDV advocates for the promotion of e-buses to support the transition to emission-free drives, despite current challenges due to reduced federal funding[1].
• Modernization of Infrastructure: The VDV calls for the modernization of railway infrastructure, particularly through the introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS), to strengthen the performance and competitiveness of railways[1].

The VDV represents the interests of its members to parliaments, authorities, industry, and other institutions. It has offices in Cologne, Berlin, and Brussels and is organized into nine regional groups as well as six general and 19 specialized committees. Over 400 experts work voluntarily in these committees on the challenges of the sector and develop VDV recommendations and reports[1].

The VDV plays a central role in addressing transport challenges and promotes cooperation between member companies, politics, and the economy to ensure a future-proof and sustainable mobility.

• 1 - https://www.vdv.de
• 2 - https://www.vdv.de/daten-fakten.aspx
• 3 - https://www.eticket-deutschland.de/en/about-us/history/
• 4 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsverbund
• 5 - https://www.eticket-deutschland.de/ueber-uns/