Organisation and responsibilities of a limited liability company

Since 1996, the Munich Transport and Tariff Association (MVV) has been organised as an association of public transport authorities. MVV GmbH acts on behalf of its shareholders and makes a significant contribution to the planning, organisation and further development of local public transport in the Greater Munich area. 

The aim is to standardise and continuously develop the integrated transport network. To this end, MVV GmbH is divided into various specialist departments, each of which takes on different tasks – ranging from conceptual issues and fare-related matters to regional bus services. This structure is complemented by consultancy services that support both internal projects and external tasks.

The Corporate Services Department is a central service unit within MVV GmbH. It works behind the scenes to ensure that MVV can operate reliably and smoothly. Many of its tasks affect not just a single department, but the entire company.

The Corporate Support Department supports the management and all specialist departments, and handles fundamental tasks necessary for day-to-day operations.

What does the Corporate Support Department do?

The tasks of the Corporate Support Department include, amongst others:

• Human
  Resources: employee support, recruitment and the organisation of work processes
• Finance
  : Accounting, controlling, budget planning and settlement with shareholders
• IT and Organisation
  : Technical systems, digital solutions, mailroom and organisational processes
• Legal and committee work
  : Legal advice, as well as the preparation and support of meetings of key committees
• Project and funding
  management: Coordination of cross-functional projects and management of funding
• Press and Public Relations
  Press relations, media enquiries and official information from MVV GmbH

Although the corporate support unit usually works behind the scenes, it plays a key role in ensuring that information is presented clearly, decisions are well prepared and cooperation within the MVV network runs smoothly.

The Planning Department develops the technical framework for an attractive and sustainable local transport service within the MVV network. Here, plans are drawn up for the future development of public transport – tailored to the needs of passengers, local authorities and transport operators.

The Planning Department works closely with local authorities, transport operators and other specialist departments within MVV GmbH.

What does the Planning Department do?

The tasks of the Planning Department include, amongst others:

• Transport and service planning
  Development and enhancement of bus and transport services within the MVV area
• Timetable concepts
  Planning of routes, frequencies and timetable structures, particularly in connection with service expansions and new districts
• New mobility services
  : Designing new forms of transport such as on-demand services or pilot projects for innovative mobility solutions
• Decision-making foundations:
  Preparation of analyses and concepts as a technical basis for political decisions and funding projects
• Cooperation within the network
  Coordination with districts, transport operators and other partners within the MVV network

The work of the Planning Department ensures that route networks grow in a sensible manner, services are better coordinated, and new mobility services can be tested and introduced. In this way, the Planning Department contributes to the long-term improvement and further development of local public transport in the MVV area.

The Regional Bus Division is responsible for the planning, organisation and further development of regional bus services within the MVV network. It ensures that bus routes connect the towns and local authorities within the MVV area and provide good connections to rail, S-Bahn and underground services.

In doing so, the Regional Bus Division works closely with districts, local authorities and transport operators.

What does the Regional Bus Division do?

The Regional Bus Division’s tasks include, amongst other things:

• Planning regional bus routes
  Developing and updating route networks and timetables within the MVV network
• Coordination with districts and transport companies
  Coordination of services, timetables and operational procedures in regional bus transport
• Contract award and management
  Organisation of tenders and management of existing transport contracts
• Passenger information
  Ensuring reliable and up-to-date information on regional bus services
• Further development of bus transport
  : introducing new service formats and improving quality and reliability
• Future trends in bus transport
  : Supporting projects such as zero-emission powertrains and sustainable transport solutions

The work of the Regional Bus division ensures that bus services in the MVV area operate reliably, that new residential and commercial areas are connected, and that rural regions remain easily accessible. In this way, the regional bus service makes an important contribution to everyday mobility.

The Fares Department is responsible for setting ticket prices within the MVV network. It ensures that passengers can use a consistent, clear and fair fare system for buses and trains throughout the MVV area.

In doing so, the Tariff Department works closely with transport operators, local authorities and political bodies.

What does the Tariff Department do?

The Tariff Department’s responsibilities include, amongst other things:

• Developing tickets and fares
  Designing and refining ticket options such as day tickets, season tickets and travel passes
• Fare structure and zones
  Defining and maintaining the fare system with zones, areas of validity and price tiers
• Market research and analysis
  : analysing usage data and passenger needs as a basis for fare decisions
• Coordination within the MVV network
  : collaboration with transport operators, local authorities and political decision-makers on fare changes
• Rules for ticket
  use: Maintaining the transport and fare regulations applicable to all modes of transport within the MVV

The Fares department ensures that passengers can use all modes of transport within the MVV with a single ticket and that prices are transparent and structured as simply as possible. It helps to ensure that the MVV fare system remains clear and adapts to changing mobility needs.

The Marketing department ensures that information about MVV is clear, up to date and easy to find. It explains tickets and services, provides information on changes to local transport, and raises the profile of MVV as a transport association.

The aim is to keep passengers well informed, build trust and present local public transport in an attractive light.

What does the Marketing department do?

The Marketing department’s tasks include, amongst other things:

• Information and communication
  Explaining tickets, fares and services via various channels such as the website, print media and digital formats
• Advertising and campaigns
  Planning and implementation of marketing campaigns for the MVV and its services
• Customer dialogue and complaints management
  Handling enquiries, feedback and complaints, as well as providing assistance with information on fares, timetables and services
• Public relations
  Consistent presentation of the MVV network to the public
• Market research
  : Conducting surveys, such as the MVV Customer Barometer, to assess satisfaction and identify areas for improvement

The Marketing department ensures that passengers receive reliable information quickly, understand services clearly and that feedback is taken seriously. In this way, Marketing helps to further develop MVV as a transparent, customer-focused and service-oriented organisation.

The Transport Research department provides the data and analyses required for the planning, funding and further development of local public transport within the MVV area. It examines how buses and trains are used and presents this information in a clear and accessible way.

The Transport Research Department works behind the scenes and supports many other departments within the MVV as well as external partners.

What does the Transport Research Department do?

The tasks of the Transport Research Department include, amongst other things:

• Traffic surveys
  Recording and analysing passenger numbers and usage patterns in the MVV area
• Data analysis and evaluation
  Processing the collected data as a basis for transport planning, fare structuring and service development
• Revenue sharing
  : Calculation and distribution of revenue from ticket sales within the MVV network
• Statistics and reports
  : Compiling transport and sales statistics for districts, transport operators and other partners
• Quality measurement
  : Support in assessing the quality, reliability and performance of local transport

Transport research ensures that decisions within the MVV are based on reliable data. This enables services to be improved in a targeted manner, new transport services to be planned and a fair balance between the parties involved in the network to be ensured – even if this work usually remains invisible to passengers.