Bvg

The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) is the main public transport operator in Berlin, Germany. It is a municipal-owned corporation owned by the state of Berlin and administered by the city’s authorities. BVG operates most of the city’s public transport services, including the U-Bahn (underground), trams, and buses, as well as several ferry services on the Spree and Havel rivers. It is responsible for planning, maintenance, and operation of these networks and for customer information and ticketing within its networks.

BVG works in conjunction with the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB), which coordinates fares and schedules across Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Through the VBB, BVG tickets and passes are valid on many other regional services, enabling integrated travel across the area. The S-Bahn network in Berlin is operated separately by S-Bahn Berlin GmbH, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, and runs in parallel with BVG services on many corridors.

History and governance: The BVG traces its origins to several early 20th-century municipal transit companies and was formed through mergers that consolidated Berlin’s public transport into a single organization. It remains a publicly owned company under the governance of the Berlin authorities, with responsibilities spanning service delivery, safety, and infrastructure.

Fare and tickets: BVG participates in the VBB fare system, with tickets valid across Berlin and adjacent areas in zones A, B, and C. The company has implemented modern ticketing options, including digital and mobile tickets, and provides extensive passenger information through stations, apps, and on-board systems.

Fleet and operations: BVG maintains a diverse fleet of U-Bahn cars, trams, and buses, and continues efforts to improve accessibility, reliability, and sustainability. It operates daily services and plays a central role in Berlin’s urban mobility.