Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr

The transport association Rhein- Ruhr (VRR ) is a transport network and local rail passenger transport authorities in North Rhine -Westphalia. Its territory includes the Ruhr area, the Lower Rhine, parts of the Bergische Land and the North Rhine- Westphalian capital Dusseldorf. The VRR is bordered to the north by the Transport Community Münster (VGM ), to the east by the Transport Community Ruhr -Lippe ( VRL ), to the south by the transport association Rhein-Sieg (VRS ) and the Aachen Transport Association (GCU) and to the west by the Netherlands. The VRR is the most populous Transport Association and the largest metropolitan area in Europe transport.

• 6.1 A note on traffic contract
• 6.2 Timetable areas and line numbers
• 6.3 Passenger Information
• 6.4 Trivia

Structure

The " transport association Rhein- Ruhr ipc (VRR ipc )" is a public institution. Carriers are two authorities, namely the " transport - purpose Verband Niederrhein ( NVN ) " and the " Transport Federation Rhein- Ruhr ".

The main areas of responsibility are:

• Authority for the regional rail - derived from the public transport law Nordrhein-Westfalen
• Ensuring an integrated public transport (tariff, supply, quality ..) - derived from the public transport law Nordrhein-Westfalen
• Financing of public transport - was the VRR transmitted by the local PTAs
• Authorization of public transport investment support under § § 12 and 13 ÖPNVG NRW

When VRR the competence center Electronic Fare Management ( KCEFM ) and safety ( KCS) are settled on behalf of the State of North Rhine -Westphalia.

History

The transport association Rhein- Ruhr was founded on January 1, 1980 by the five counties and 19 independent cities, as well as the municipal transport company of the Rhine -Ruhr area and the German Federal Railroad in the legal form of a GmbH.

1996 as part of the railway reform in the area of ​​VRR, the co-operation area 1 (Rhein -Ruhr ), a special purpose association was founded. The essential task of the " Transport Federation Rhein- Ruhr " was to rail passenger transport ( regional rail ) for planning in the region, to organize and to design. The purpose of association ordered the regional rail ( Regional Express, Regional Bahn and S -Bahn ) in railway transport companies and monitors their performance. He also handles the financing of road passenger transport ( public road transport ) with the districts and cities and provides a composite wide uniform tariff system.

On 28 September 2004 established the " Transport Federation Rhein- Ruhr ", the " transport association Rhein- Ruhr ipc " and gave her his essential duties.

On 1 January 2008, the transport - purpose Verband Niederrhein transferred his SPNV task sponsorship on the VRR ipc. In this area, however, was continued until 31 December 2011, the tariff of the transport association Lower Rhine. Since January 1, 2012 now will also find there the VRR tariff application.

Operating data and transport numbers

• Traffic area 7300 km ²
• 8.1 million inhabitants
• 16 cities and 7 counties.
• 2 Purpose of dressings Transport - purpose Verband Niederrhein ( Wesel, Kleve district )
• Transport Federation (Rhine-Ruhr Bochum, Bottrop, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, Essen, Hagen, Herne, Krefeld, Mönchengladbach, Mülheim an der Ruhr, Oberhausen, Remscheid, Solingen, Wuppertal, Ennepe -Ruhr -Kreis Mettmann, Rhein-Kreis Neuss, Kreis Recklinghausen, district of Viersen )

• 48 in rail transport 15 regional express lines
• 22 regional rail lines
• 11 S -Bahn lines

• 20 rail lines
• 43 tram lines
• 3 H-Bahn-/Sky-Train-Linien ( driverless monorail, 2 lines at the University of Dortmund, one at Dusseldorf Airport )
• 1 levitation train line ( Wuppertal )
• 6 trolleybus lines (see Solingen trolleybus, one of them to Wuppertal - Vohwinkel )
• 894 bus lines

VRR has every working day around 4 million passengers.

• 969.8 million euros revenue (as of 2010)
• Subscriptions: 1.254 million (2012 )

Fare and ticketing system

Price level system

The network area is divided into tariff zones. A tariff area usually includes a municipality. Only for small municipalities several municipalities are grouped into enem tariff area. The large cities of Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Duisburg, Essen and Wuppertal consist of two fare zones. The tariff areas are mostly divided into honeycomb yet.

The price level " short-range " usually includes three or four stops. At all stops achievable with the short -haul destinations are hanging out.

The Price Level A applies for trips

• Within a fare zone
• Within cities, which consist of two fare zones
• Between two adjacent honeycomb neighboring tariff zones

The price level A is in season tickets priced divided into A1 and A2, depending on the quality of public transport services.

The Price Level B includes a tariff area and mostly all neighboring tariff zones.

Price level C comprises two adjoining tariff zones and mostly all neighboring tariff zones.

The Price Level D includes either the Nord or the Southern Region of the VRR.

The Price Level E applies to network-wide journeys.

Tickets

In addition to tickets for a ride also those issued for 4 trips and day tickets. The daily tickets are valid for unlimited travel within the validity range and are available in versions for individual travelers and small groups (up to 5 people) available. Weeks Tickets are no longer available since 2006. By purchasing an additional ticket, the validity of ticket can be extended, thus, making it among other things to bring bicycles or possible to use the first class in trains, which are valid for the latter constraints.

The period of validity for single and 4- tickets (in each case after validation )

• For short-range: 30 minutes
• For A: 90 minutes
• For B: 120 minutes
• For C: 180 minutes
• D: 240 minutes
• E: 300 Minutes

The tickets are valid for one journey, which must be completed within the allotted time. They do not apply for round -trip or tour.

The month VRR tickets hot Ticket1000 or Ticket2000 and YoungTicket. They differ in terms of portability, scope weekend, transport etc. The warranty YoungTicket is a monthly ticket specifically for apprentices.

The chocolate ticket is a ticket of the transport association Rhein- Ruhr for all students under 27 years. It is either in the field or in the D North Area D South, and against surcharge also in the entire VRR area. It is open all year for all means of VRR ( into the Deutsche Bahn trains only for 2nd class ).

Students at participating universities have a semester ticket which is automatically acquired by the payment of social contribution at the beginning of a semester. As the chocolate ticket is also this only in 2nd class and can just as this are not upgraded by purchasing an additional ticket temporarily to a first - class ticket. For season ticket holders provided discounts holders of a semester ticket will normally be granted only AST service. Also, the geographical scope differs from that of a conventional ticket from: So it is in addition to parts of the VGM area fully, in addition to parts of the VGN-, VRL and VRS areas - but only if the residence of the student is there - this restriction also applies to the area of VRR season ticket holders is normally accessible. To what extent the semester ticket lines on the VRR tariff partners outside of the composite space is valid, is not clearly regulated.

Senior citizens over 60 can purchase the so-called BärenTicket, which is available in the price levels D and E and entitled in commuter trains to use the first class.

For its subscribers throughout the VRR sets since 2003, only electronic tickets ( e- tickets ) on a smart card. Since 2007, the VRR this e- tickets successively on the Germany -wide standard VDV core application in order.

Excerpt from the price table (2014 ): Rates in Euros; Stand February 7, 2014

Cities and towns outside the VRR area with partial application of the VRR tariff

• Aachen Transport Association Circle Heinberg Wegberg (only line 017)

• Transport Community Munsterland Kreis Borken Bocholt (via Rees / Hamminkeln ) [A 1]
• Borken [A 2]
• Gentiles [A 2]
• Isselburg [A 1]
• Raesfeld [A 1]
• Reken [A 2]

• Olfen (only line 282)

• Transport Community Ruhr -Lippe Unna district Bergkamen [A 3]
• Holzwickede [A 3]
• Kamen [A 3]
• Lünen [A 3]
• Sword [A 3]
• Unna [A 3]

• Wiblingwerde (only line 539 )

• Netherlands Gelderland province Millingen am Rhein ( line 60 only )
• Nijmegen (only line SB58 )
• ' S-Heer Mountain ( line 91 only )

• Venlo (only German transport)

In the communities with the addition "to the extent Ruhr- Lippe- tariff not applicable " applies the semester ticket only for the shortest or fastest route between VRR - border and residence - but only if the residence is in one of these communities is ( Example: A transit from Dortmund to Waltrop by Lünen Brambauer is for a student therefore inadmissible even if this is the most direct route between home and college. ).

Since 1 February 2012, the VRR tariff is no longer valid for trips from the VRR in the Dutch municipalities Groesbeek and Mook, and vice versa, since the operation was abandoned by the bus line 55.

History

Until August 1, 2008, there were only the price levels A, B and C, where C was valid throughout the network. For monthly tickets the previous stage A and smaller towns ( price level A1) (called price level A2) since August 1, 2008 between major distinction. Price level C shall no longer throughout the network, but only for two fare zones including adjacent areas. In addition, the new D level, the network-wide is in lieu of the previous stage C comes. The price associated with stage A2 Dortmund, Hagen, Herne, Bochum, Wuppertal, Remscheid, Solingen, Gelsenkirchen, Essen, Oberhausen, Mülheim (Ruhr), Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Neuss / Kaarst, Krefeld and Mönchengladbach. All other cities and municipalities in the VRR associated with the price level A1.

In the course of applying the VRR tariff in the districts of Kleve and Wesel went on 1 January 2012, the price levels 1-4 of the VGN in the price levels A - D of the VRR on. Since "D North " is in the VRR tariff between the fare zones (Old VGN plus adjacent tariff zones ) and "D South " (Alt - VRR tariff plus adjacent areas) differed. For journeys beyond a new price level E for the VRR total space has been introduced.

Transport companies

The following transport companies are active in the VRR:

• Abellio Rail NRW (ABR )
• Paths of the city of Monheim (BSM )
• Bochum- Gelsenkirchen trams AG ( BOGESTRA )
• Bus Rhineland ( BVR)
• DB Regio NRW (DB)
• DSW21 ( Dortmunder Stadtwerke )
• Duisburg Transport Society ( DVG )
• Keolis Germany ( EUR path)
• Essen Transport AG ( EVAG )
• Dusseldorf Airport ( SkyTrain )
• Hagen tram ( HST)
• Roundabouts society Mettmann mbH ( KVGM )
• Mülheim Transport Company ( MVG)
• Niederrheinische Transport Authority ( NIAG ) LOOK Busreisen GmbH

Others

Note the traffic contract

Mid-June 2008 announced the VRR clinched the contract with DB Regio services in the amount of 300 million euros. The train services that were provided in the context of this large transportation contract have since been operated by DB Regio NRW GmbH on the basis of a sovereign imposition to which the VRR is entitled as a sovereign entity under public law in his capacity. DB Regio NRW GmbH, however this termination and the imposition held to be illegal and was on the point of view to carry out the train services in the context of their opinion valid major transport contract. On December 19, presented the Administrative Court Gelsenkirchen found that the termination of the major transport contract by the VRR is invalid and ordered the VRR to pay the withheld amount. Through the mediation of former North Rhine -Westphalia's Minister of Transport Oliver Wittke (CDU ) was agreed in 2009 to a new major transport contract. The RE- lines to 2016, the S-Bahn to go to tender in 2023. This was but tilted unlawfulness of the public procurement tribunal of the district government of Münster. Also, the Higher Regional Court of Dusseldorf follows this interpretation of the law, but the case put before the Federal Court for decision, as the Court of Appeal Brandenburg had like an otherwise sound judgment in 2003.

This has declared the contract on 8 February 2011 in full void. Despite hanging in the balance contractual agreement VRR, and DB Regio have introduced the new timetable concept in December 2010. Both DB Regio NRW and the VRR now looking for a new agreement that is within the scope of what keeps the federal court admissible. They may consist, according to VRR boss Martin Husmann " four to six screws ". Even Transport Minister Harry Voigt Berger (SPD ) is to achieve a rapid revision.

Schedule areas and line numbers

The area of ​​the VRR was divided to its founding in ten areas timetable, which took into account in the award of line numbers. This system is still used today to a large extent, but is watered by numerous special solutions (eg local bus lines):

Normally, lines are to be distinguished by their number. ( Where X is one assigned by the transport company line identifier for the number of the schedule area and Y. )

• Light rail, even if they run mostly above ground, wear line numbers prefixed by ' U' in the schema UXY ( key differentiator trams is the presence of high platforms ). The Wuppertal suspension railway bears - mainly for internal purposes - the line number 60 without leading U.
• Trams travel the lines x0y and X1Y ( in Dortmund: UXY, in Krefeld: X4Y )
• The remaining lines in the format XYY are bus lines, which were sometimes awarded for these line numbers after the tram numbering scheme. In the districts Wesel and Kleve the numeral " X" simply missing; there so the lines have the format Y or YY or SLY or SLYY for rides that operate primarily within a community. When Rheinbahn there are also lines according to the scheme OY or OYY in Velbert to the ovy scheme. Here, "O" or "OV " the one-or two -digit line number prefix letters. Operated by BVR buses throughout the composite area with area-dependent first digit. The originally preferred allocation of 8 or 9 as the second digit in lines of this company is now no longer practiced consistently.

The timetable books Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Hattingen / Sprockhövel are no longer issued since 2012. Instead, free line timetables in Bogestra available. After substantial protests by the passengers and on the instructions of the local policy setting decision was revised: As of 2013, there will be printed timetable books again.

Passenger information

VRR provides the composite members of the infrastructure for integrating passenger information into their own websites. Since 2006, this information will be enriched information to real-time information, so that real-time schedule information will be provided for the passenger available on the internet. In addition to real-time information of the Deutsche Bahn are also real- time data of the participating carrier interconnection and Märkischen transport company specified by the German by the Association transport companies VDV454 Protocol, a protocol for the exchange of command schedules and actual data to the reinvigoration of timetable information, on the so-called Istdatenserver VRR connected and transmitted also adjacent networks.

Trivia

On the occasion of its thirty years of existence in 2010, the VRR has given a new logo. This logo was introduced on 25 March 2010 and will gradually replace the old logo.

In May 2012, the VRR also ordered the compilation of an advertising agency, a cartoon animation, so shall the proper use in and with social networking sites, to provide to your own employees, the social media guidelines of the company.