Verkehrsverbund Mainfranken

Verkehrsverbund Mainfranken (VVM), formally Verkehrsunternehmens-Verbund Mainfranken, was a German public transport tariff and network association (Tarif- und Verkehrsverbund) serving the Würzburg planning region in Bavaria. It was founded on 1 August 2004, replacing the earlier Würzburger Tarifverbund (WTV), and introduced a new fare system based on honeycomb-shaped zones (Waben) centred on the Würzburg urban area rather than the previous concentric rings. The association covered the independent city of Würzburg and the districts of Würzburg, Kitzingen and Main-Spessart, with some adjacent fringe areas also accepting VVM fares. VVM coordinated fares and ticketing across buses, trams and regional trains operated by various partners, including Würzburger Straßenbahn GmbH (a subsidiary of Würzburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrsgesellschaft) and regional bus companies. It offered single, multi-trip, day, group, monthly and annual tickets, and introduced innovations such as the 6er-Karte and the short-trip Eins+4 ticket. The Bayern-Ticket of Deutsche Bahn was valid within the network, and students could travel free with a semester ticket. The network expanded over time: the Kitzingen area (KiNG) joined on 1 February 2009, and the Main-Spessart district was integrated on 1 August 2013. At the turn of 2024/25, VVM was replaced by the new Verkehrsverbund Nahverkehr Mainfranken (NVM), which also includes the Main-Rhön planning region with Schweinfurt and the districts of Schweinfurt, Bad Kissingen, Rhön-Grabfeld and Haßberge. VVM is thus a defunct brand, though its website remained as a reference.

Verkehrsverbund Mainfranken (VVM) was established on 1 August 2004, succeeding the Würzburger Tarifverbund (WTV). It introduced a new fare system that divided the region into honeycomb-shaped zones (Waben) instead of the previous concentric rings centred on Würzburg. The central zone, Großwabe 100, covered the city of Würzburg and the nearby municipalities of Gerbrunn and Höchberg. The new structure was intended to make fare calculation fairer and simpler. VVM introduced several new ticket types, including the 6er-Karte and the short-trip Eins+4 ticket, aimed at short-distance passengers. For the first time, the Deutsche Bahn Bayern-Ticket was also valid within the network. Over the years, VVM offered single, multi-trip, day (Solo/Family), group, monthly and annual tickets, available from ticket machines and bus drivers. Group tickets were sold only in advance, except in Main-Spessart. Students could travel free throughout the VVM network with a semester ticket. The network expanded: on 1 February 2009, the adjacent Kitzinger Nahverkehrsgemeinschaft (KiNG) was integrated. Prior to that, from autumn 2006, a cooperation with the Kitzingen district allowed KiNG tickets to be used on Würzburg city transport. On 1 August 2013, the Main-Spessart district was fully included in the VVM. Additionally, some fringe areas in the Bad Kissingen, Schweinfurt and Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim districts also accepted VVM fares. VVM coordinated with other transport associations: since April 2003, the neighbouring Main-Tauber-Kreis in Baden-Württemberg had joined the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (VRN), and train stations on the Würzburg–Stuttgart line on the Bavarian side were covered by both VVM and VRN tariffs, allowing VRN tickets to be purchased from Würzburg Hbf. At the turn of 2024/25, VVM was replaced by the new Verkehrsverbund Nahverkehr Mainfranken (NVM), which expanded to include the entire Main-Rhön planning region with the city of Schweinfurt and the districts of Schweinfurt, Bad Kissingen, Rhön-Grabfeld and Haßberge. VVM thus ceased to exist as an active association.

• 2024

  At the turn of 2024/25, VVM is replaced by the new Verkehrsverbund Nahverkehr Mainfranken (NVM).

• 2013

  On 1 August, the Main-Spessart district becomes part of the VVM network.

• 2009

  On 1 February, the Kitzinger Nahverkehrsgemeinschaft (KiNG) area is integrated into VVM.

• 2008

  From August, VVM requires exclusive boarding at the driver with ticket inspection on all buses.

• 2006

  Cooperation with Kitzingen district begins in autumn, allowing KiNG tickets on Würzburg city transport.

• 2004

  VVM founded on 1 August, replacing the Würzburger Tarifverbund (WTV) and introducing a honeycomb zone fare system.

Public transport tariff and network association providing integrated ticketing and fare coordination for the Würzburg region.

• Single ticket

  One-way ticket for a single journey.

• 6er-Karte

  Multi-trip ticket offering six rides, introduced by VVM.

• Eins+4

  Short-trip ticket for short distances, more attractive than the conventional Streifenkarte.

• Day ticket (Solo/Family)

  Day passes for individual or family travel.

• Group ticket

  Ticket for groups, sold only in advance except in Main-Spessart.

• Monthly and annual passes

  Season tickets for regular commuters.

• Semester ticket

  Student pass allowing free travel throughout the VVM network.

1. 1Verkehrsverbund Mainfranken - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Verkehrsverbund Mainfranken - Wikidatawikidata.org