RMV and NVV marking their anniversary, aiming to expand their operations ahead. - RMV and NVV commemorate milestone anniversary and unveil expansion strategies.
30th Anniversary of RMV and NVV: A Decade of Transformation in Hesse Public Transport
After the launch of the Germany Ticket last year, the landscape of public transportation (PT) in Hesse bears little resemblance to what it was three decades ago. The formation of the transport associations Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV) and Nordhessian Transport Association (NVV) in 1995 marked a significant turning point. They consolidated an array of disparate fares and schedules, leading to a significant surge in passenger numbers. As they celebrate their milestone anniversary, both associations look forward to continued growth.
"One timetable, one ticket, one fare" was the slogan when RMV initiated its operations, recalling the time when its region set the precedent for the nationwide Germany Ticket. Thirty years ago, the convenience of using public transport sparked a surge in its usage.
Despite numerous challenges last year, such as staff shortages, construction delays, and increased remote work, the RMV reached an all-time high of 825 million passengers. Knut Ringat, the managing director of the Rhine-Main Transport Association, attributes this achievement to the association's resilience and adaptability.
Over the next five years, the RMV anticipates further development, despite ongoing construction-related disruptions, which Ringat calls the "Decade of Construction." He believes that, after navigating these challenges, the association will be able to offer significantly improved services.
Regarding criticism of staff shortages in signal boxes, Ringat anticipates improvements during the course of the year, thanks to increased training and modernization initiatives by Deutsche Bahn.
The RMV also aims to enhance services in rural areas by leveraging on-demand traffic, with autonomous vehicles planned for pilot projects in Darmstadt and the Offenbach district.
The NVV, headquartered in Kassel, focuses on improving transportation in less urbanized areas. The association has expanded its offerings, particularly in bus traffic, through its "Every village - Every hour" campaign. This initiative aims to ensure that every place is accessible by bus or train at least once an hour, a goal that the NVV is almost achieving.
This, along with the Germany Ticket, has contributed to a steady increase in demand, as evident in the NVV's 2024 annual report, which shows an 10.3% rise in passengers in regional bus traffic compared to the previous year.
Both associations emphasize the need for reliable and adequate financing from the federal and state governments for continued expansion. Marian Volmer, the managing director of the NVV, hopes that the upcoming investment program by the federal government will bring additional funds to significantly improve the infrastructure in North Hesse.
On May 28, the RMV will celebrate its 30th anniversary with an event at the Römer in Frankfurt, inviting guests and passengers to participate in various campaigns, actions, and prize draws throughout the summer. The NVV will launch a customer campaign titled "You're the Best," offering a prize draw and major celebration in September.
Through electrifying bus fleets, improving hubs and accessibility, and strengthening regional cooperation, both RMV and NVV aim to continue their pursuit of sustainable, efficient, and user-friendly public transportation in Hesse. These goals align with national and EU climate goals and reflect the broader shift toward electrification and sustainability in the global public transport sector.
[1] Global EV Outlook 2025[2] Hessian Ministry of Transport (official website)[3] RMV and NVV (official websites)
In light of the ongoing electrification and sustainability shift in the public transport sector, both RMV and NVV aim to continue their focus on electric bus fleets and improving infrastructure, aligning with national and EU climate goals. [Global EV Outlook 2025]
The RMV, in its pursuit of growth, plans to invest in autonomous vehicles for pilot projects in Darmstadt and the Offenbach district, as well as enhancing services in rural areas through on-demand traffic. [Hessian Ministry of Transport (official website), RMV (official website)]
Financial support from the federal and state governments is crucial for the continued expansion and improvement of services, as acknowledged by the managing directors of both RMV and NVV. [RMV (official website), NVV (official website)]
