Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön

Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön GmbH (VKP) is a municipal transport company based in Kiel, Germany, operating bus services in the district of Plön and adjacent areas. Founded on 29 June 1965 by the district of Plön, the towns of Lütjenburg and Preetz, and the municipality of Schönberg, it remains publicly owned. The company began line operations on 1 March 1966 after taking over the firm Wulf & Sohn, initially serving 13 rural routes, a school bus service, and a town service in Plön. Over the decades, VKP expanded its network, added depots, and integrated school transport into public lines. Today, VKP operates a fleet of around 122 buses, including midi and articulated buses, and employs about 242 staff. It provides services in Kreis Plön, parts of Segeberg and Ostholstein, and connections to Kiel and Neumünster. The company also offers bus rental for private hire. VKP is one of the few regional transport operators still fully in public hands, shaping mobility in rural Schleswig-Holstein.

Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön GmbH (VKP) was founded on 29 June 1965 by the district of Plön, the towns of Lütjenburg and Preetz, and the municipality of Schönberg. It is one of the few regional transport companies in Germany that has remained entirely in public ownership. Line operations began on 1 March 1966, following the takeover of the firm Wulf & Sohn from Schönberg. With just eight motor vehicles and two trailers, VKP started services on routes such as Schönberg–Laboe, Schönberg–Lütjenburg, and Schönberg–Preetz. In its first year, it operated 13 rural lines, a school bus service, and a town service in Plön. By 1970, the company had grown to 38 buses and 45 employees, and depots were established in Bornhöved, Plön, and Schönberg. A further depot opened in Lütjenburg in 1973. By 1975, the workforce had increased to 88, operating 25 lines and 19 school services. In 1980, VKP took over the Preetz town service, and by then 98 employees operated 82 buses on 31 lines covering 623 kilometres. A new tourism department in Kiel organised trips across Europe with twelve coaches, but this division was closed at the beginning of 2013. In 1985, VKP received concessions for bus lines from Plön to Hohwacht and from Plön via Ascheberg to Bornhöved, Nettelsee, Stocksee, and Neumünster. After the closure of the Neumünster–Ascheberg railway line, bus services took over from 29 September 1985. Most school transport was integrated into public lines. On 5 May 1985, a tariff agreement was established for mutual recognition of tickets on the Kiel–Schönkirchen section of the line to Schönberg. On 15 December 2019, VKP took over the 'Netz Mitte' network in the Schwentinental area, introducing six new lines. VKP also has a history in rail operations: from 1967 it was managed in association with the Kiel-Schönberger Eisenbahn (KSE), and after the KSE merged with VKP in 1982, it continued under the KSE name. Since 1 March 2006, VKP has operated only as railway infrastructure manager for the twelve-kilometre Kiel-Oppendorf–Schönberg line. The company's administration has been located in Kiel since 1973. Today, VKP operates a fleet of 122 buses and employs 242 people, serving the district of Plön and beyond.

• VKP founded by Kreis Plön, Lütjenburg, Preetz, and Schönberg.

• Start of line operations after takeover of Wulf & Sohn.

• Fleet grows to 38 buses and 45 employees; depots in Bornhöved, Plön, and Schönberg completed.

• New depot in Lütjenburg; administration moves to Kiel.

• Workforce reaches 88; 25 lines and 19 school services operated.

• Takeover of Preetz town service; 98 employees, 82 buses, 31 lines.

• VKP takes over state shares in KSE; KSE merges with VKP.

• Tariff agreement for mutual ticket recognition on Kiel–Schönkirchen section.

• Bus services replace closed Neumünster–Ascheberg railway.

• VKP becomes railway infrastructure manager for Kiel-Oppendorf–Schönberg line.

• Tourism division closed; no more own coach tours.

• Takeover of 'Netz Mitte' network in Schwentinental area, adding six lines.

Reliable public mobility partner in rural Schleswig-Holstein, publicly owned and focused on regional connectivity.

• Public bus transport

  Regional and local bus services in Kreis Plön and surrounding areas.

• School bus services

  Dedicated school transport integrated into public lines.

• Occasional transport

  Charter and occasional services, including bus rental.

1. 1Startseite - Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plönvkp.de
2. 2In Zahlen - Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön GmbHvkp.de
3. 3Firmengeschichte - Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön GmbHvkp.de
4. 4Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Verkehrsbetriebe Kreis Plön - Wikidatawikidata.org