VDV eTicket Service Hintergrund

Who we are

We are the VDV (((eTicket Service, or ETS for short. We are a subsidiary of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) and have been the public transport sector’s partner for digital ticketing since 2004. We emerged from a research project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. We are based in the heart of Cologne, and our team supports all aspects of digital ticketing in public transport.

 Thanks to the Deutschland-Ticket, for which we are the technical product owner, our organisation and our remit have grown significantly. Our mission has never changed: we ensure that the public transport sector remains manufacturer-independent, sets the standards and remains at the forefront of technology.

Vernetzungsgrafik

What we do 

Since the early 2000s, we have been publishing the standard for digital ticketing in German public transport: the VDV core application. We maintain it, develop it further in collaboration with the industry and ensure that everyone adheres to the rules. 
We are also responsible for its successor – (((etiCORE – which will replace the VDV-KA at the end of 2031. 

However, we are much more than just a standards body. We operate and coordinate the central technical systems that ensure all components within the system can communicate with one another. We handle security management, safeguard data exchange and certify components: from smart cards and back-end systems to point-of-sale terminals. In addition, we support our transport operators, transport associations and manufacturers with everything they need: advice, training, procurement and a wealth of expertise.

Where we come from

In 1965, the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV) was established, becoming the world’s first transport association. This created the need for passengers to be able to use all forms of public transport within the association’s region on a single ticket. As more transport networks were established, it became increasingly important to ensure this was possible even across network and fare zone boundaries – regardless of the type of ticket used. Making this possible is our job. Since 2004. 

1999

Work is beginning on the public transport app for tickets on smart cards.

2001

The ticketing standard is now known as the VDV core application.

2003

The specification for data and security management, as well as interfaces, is being drawn up. 

2004

We will be established on 2 March and will be called VDV-Kernapplikations GmbH & Co. KG.

2005

SaarVV in Saarbrücken is rolling out Germany’s very first e-ticket.

2007

The Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR) is introducing the VDV-KA.

2008

VDV-KA becomes the sole eligible EFM standard.

2014

We are being renamed VDV eTicket Service GmbH & Co. KG, or VDV ETS for short. 

2018

We develop Motics and ensure that mobile tickets are secure.

2020

The participants’ meeting approves the VDV.KA security update and names it (((etiCORE

2023

The participants’ meeting has decided that we are technically responsible for the Deutschland-Ticket. 

These are our shareholders

We are wholly owned by the German public transport sector. We carry out work, development and research on behalf of and for transport companies and transport associations in Germany.