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THE KVG STORY

If you're interested in our story, you'll find it here. When was what done and, above all, "why"? One team, one story.

We were founded by the Peill brothers as "Stadt-Omnibus Heinrich Peill" in 1928 and can look back on almost a century of history. Today, we are a mobility services group and the largest provider of bus transport services in Lower Saxony.

Our transport area extends between Cuxhaven, Hamburg and Soltau. We operate city, regional and school transport services in the districts of Cuxhaven, Stade, Lüneburg, Harburg and Soltau. In addition to our regular bus services, we are also an efficient and reliable partner for the organisation and implementation of planned rail replacement and emergency bus services. Would you like to know more about our history? This way.

Over 1,100 employees drive, repair, manage, check and keep our 6 depots in Cuxhaven, Stade, Buxtehude, Hittfeld, Lüneburg and Soltau as well as the central administration in Stade up to date. We attach great importance to friendliness and service-orientation. Our staff undergo regular training to ensure that we always offer you the best customer service.

Would you like to be a part of it too? Then take a look at our Career pagesmaybe there is an interesting job for you.

We transport thousands of people every day. Customer satisfaction is our top priority. Our most important goal: to get you to your destination safely and on time. These are the values and principles that guide us and make us a reliable partner in local public transport - you can rely on that.

With our modern vehicle fleet, we focus on environmentally friendly local transport. We operate 132 articulated buses, 385 solo coaches, 4 electric buses and 25 minibuses in regular scheduled services. We also operate a number of minibuses (8-seater) for the "elbMOBIL" on-demand service and our demand-responsive RufMobil service.

We are proud of our successes to date and of our employees who make this possible and are determined to continue contributing to your mobility and quality of life in the future. Our long-term goals include active participation in the transport transition and the protection of nature and the environment.

Strong figures that make a difference.

Status: 2024

Over 1,200 employees

564 vehicles

115 million sales per year

25.9 million kilometres per year

45.6 million passengers transported per year

4,500 stops

Here we are - our locations.

We are on the road for you every day in the Cuxhaven, Stade, Harburg, Lüneburg and Heidekreis regions! Discover our locations now.

The BusGroup: resources and expertise united under one roof.

Since its foundation in 2014, the BusGroup has formed a powerful cooperation between the socially affiliated companies Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein, CeBus, KVG and VOG. On 1 January 2019, this network was expanded to include Müller Busreisen, further increasing the Group's expertise and reach.

As a strong community, we are committed to reliable, safe and future-orientated mobility in the region. Close networking, the efficient use of joint resources and the continuous exchange of expertise create valuable synergies that benefit all partner companies. This close cooperation enables us to constantly optimise our transport services and adapt them flexibly to the changing requirements of our passengers.

The BusGroup stands for modern and customised mobility solutions that meet the highest quality standards. Our focus is not only on making local public transport efficient and sustainable, but also on offering people in the region comfortable, safe and sustainable mobility.

Our clients and employees are equally at the centre of everything we do. Through their commitment and expertise, our employees make a significant contribution to the quality and further development of our mobility services. We are also a reliable partner for our clients and work closely with them to develop customised solutions for the mobility of the future.

Our strength lies in our trusting cooperation with a large number of partners. Whether municipalities, transport associations or companies - through long-term cooperation and close coordination, we create sustainable and forward-looking transport services that actively shape mobility in the region.

CeBus GmbH & Co. KG
Nienburger Straße 50 | 29225 Celle

Management: Stefan Koschick, Katrin Driver

Transport area:

Scheduled bus services in the town and district of Celle

Employees:

Over 270 in the administration/operations in Celle and the Faßberg office

Operations:

Celle, Faßberg

CeBus GmbH & Co. KG was founded in Celle in 2002. The shareholders are: Kraftverkehr Celle Stadt und Land GmbH, Lembke & Koschick GmbH & Co. KG, Celler Straßenbahn GmbH and Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein GmbH.

The mobility service covers all bus routes in the town and district of Celle.

KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG
Harburger Straße 96 | 21680 Stade

Management: Jan Behrendt, Michael Fastert

Kraftverkehr GmbH - KVG -
Dahlenburger Landstraße 37 | 21337 Lüneburg

Management: Jan Behrendt, Michael Fastert

Transport area:

Regular bus services in the cities of Buxtehude, Cuxhaven, Lüneburg, Stade and Winsen (Luhe) and in the districts of Cuxhaven, Harburg, Heidekreis, Lüneburg, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Rotenburg (Wümme) and Stade

Employees:

Over 1,000 in the central administration in Stade and six companies

Operations:

Buxtehude, Cuxhaven, Hittfeld, Lüneburg, Soltau, Stade

KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG is a subsidiary of Verkehrsbetrieb Osthannover GmbH. Its mobility services include scheduled urban services in Buxtehude, Cuxhaven, Lüneburg, Stade and Winsen (Luhe) as well as intercity, school and commuter services in the districts of Cuxhaven, Harburg, Heidekreis, Lüneburg, Rotenburg (Wümme) and Stade. Its business activities also include the rental of buses and coaches and the organisation and implementation of planned rail replacement and emergency bus services for partners such as metronom, S-Bahn Hamburg, erixx and enno.

Müller Busreisen GmbH
Stolpner Straße 4 | 01833 Stolpen-Langenwolmsdorf

Management: Jan Behrendt, Ramona Durke

Transport area:

Scheduled bus services in the city of Dresden and the district of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge

Employees:

Around 45 in the areas of transport, administration and workshop

Operations:

Stolpen

The company was founded in Stolpen in 1945. Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein GmbH has been a wholly-owned shareholder since 1 January 2019. The mobility offering includes bus services, school transport and rail replacement services.

Verkehrsbetrieb Osthannover GmbH (VOG) -
Nienburger Straße 50 | 29225 Celle

Management: Jan Behrendt, Michael Fastert

Verkehrsbetrieb Osthannover GmbH (VOG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen AG (OHE). VOG is the main shareholder of KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG and Kraftverkehr Celle Stadt und Land GmbH.

Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein GmbH
Nienburger Straße 50 | 29225 Celle

Management: Jan Behrendt, Michael Fastert

Transport area:

Scheduled bus services in the city of Wolfsburg and in the districts of Bayreuth, Gifhorn, Hof, Helmstedt, Kulmbach, Saale-Orla-Kreis, Tirschenreuth, Vogtlandkreis, Wolfenbüttel and Wunsiedel im Fichtelgebirge

Employees:

Around 150 in the administration and three companies

Operations:

Hof (Saale), Hornburg, Wolfsburg-Vorsfelde

The mobility services offered by Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein GmbH include scheduled bus services in Lower Saxony in the city of Wolfsburg and the districts of Gifhorn, Helmstedt and Wolfenbüttel.

And in Bavaria, in the Fichtelgebirge in the districts of Bayreuth, Hof, Kulmbach, Saale-Orla-Kreis, Tirschenreuth, Vogtlandkreis and Wunsiedel.

VB is also involved in various equity investments.

Project 500 - New record: electric bus covers over 500 kilometres

With regard to the usability of electric buses in regional scheduled services, there is often still scepticism about the accessibility of the significantly longer travel distances compared to urban public transport. The fact that electric buses are now also competitive in regional transport has been impressively demonstrated by a practical trial at the Bachstein transport company.

Back in February of this year, the Bachstein transport company carried out a test drive with an IVECO Heuliez E to test the range of a battery charge in regular service. Despite the cold weather in February, the specified range of between 300 and 350 kilometres was achieved. At this point, it was clear to the company that the 500 kilometre mark could also be achieved with just one battery charge in the next test run.

The record-breaking test drive has now been successfully completed - 543 kilometres, 48 hours on route 750 and no intermediate charging: an impressive record for an IVECO electric bus journey. This is because the vehicle itself is designed to cover only 300 kilometres. For the record-breaking project, the IVECO E-WAY commuted on route 750 in the district of Wolfenbütel in the Braunschweig region on 15 and 16 July from 5.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on just one battery charge. The electric bus had already achieved a range of 520 kilometres in a preliminary test on 12 and 13 July under exactly the same conditions.

Both test drives were accompanied by TÜV Nord employees, who sealed the charging socket on the vehicle before the start of the first test day and noted the mileage. At the end of the second day's driving, the seal was removed again and the range driven was certified.

The team from the Bachstein transport company and the "BusGruppe" partners placed particular emphasis on testing the electric bus under the most realistic conditions possible. The bus therefore travelled on a real route and was on the move in commuter and school traffic, stopped at bus stops, opened and closed its doors, and passengers got on and off again.

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Our story - from the very beginning.

January 1928

Foundation

Founded by the brothers Alex and Heinrich Peill as "Stadt-Omnibus Heinrich Peill". It all began in Stade on 25 January 1928 when the city granted a 20-year monopoly for city bus services. The first city bus system in Stade, with just three buses, was created.

January 1928

1930 - 1945

The transport company starts to bump along and experiences its first upswing at the beginning of the 1930s due to the closure of the Kehdinger Kreisbahn railway. Peill takes over the bus route.

The Second World War began in 1939 and the Peill company temporarily ceased operations. It was resumed in 1942/1943.

After the end of the war, the British military government placed an order for 6 intercity routes and 27 Red Cross buses were converted.

1930 - 1945

1947 - 1948

"Stadt-Omnibus Heinrich Peill" is renamed "Peill-Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH (PVG).

From 1948 onwards, there was not enough petrol and oil, and it was only thanks to the improvisation skills of the employees that operations could be maintained despite the shortage.

1947 - 1948

1951

Upswing with the acquisition of licences for two intercity routes, local, occasional and school transport. There are now 17 buses in the yard. The brothers' shares are transferred to Deutsche Bundespost. Now things are looking up.

1951

1966 - 1967

The company is renamed "Kraftverkehr GmbH -KVG-" and moves into its current headquarters at Harburger Straße 96 in Stade.

KVG's network grows by taking over postal transport in the Stade area

1966 - 1967

1970 - 1974

The 70s and 80s are characterised by expansion and are marked by large-scale takeovers of regional and city bus services. The Schmidt bus company in Buxtehude and the Gerlach company in Drochtersen are taken over. The number of buses increases to 52 and the number of employees to 82.

1970 - 1974

1970

The 70s and 80s are characterised by expansion and are marked by large-scale takeovers of regional and city bus services. The Schmidt bus company in Buxtehude and the Gerlach company in Drochtersen are taken over. The number of buses increases to 52 and the number of employees to 82.

1970

1974 -1980

In Cuxhaven, the operations of Cuxhavener Omnibus-Gesellschaft (COG) are taken over. Now 92 KVG buses are travelling the roads in the Lower Elbe region and the workforce has grown to 179 employees.

KVG takes over the operation of the Weigel company in Hittfeld

1974 -1980

1981 - 1983

The head office in Stade is expanded. Neighbouring properties are acquired and considerably enlarge the company premises. The workshop and depot are expanded. Several branches are established in the region.

Takeover of the federal railway and federal post office shares of KVG by "Vereinigte Bundesverkehrsbetriebe GmbH" (VBG, Cologne). The aim is to improve the service by adding further services and new transport tasks. School transport services are integrated into the regular services.
The Lüneburg bus company Ernst Röhlsberger and its premises are taken over

KVG becomes a member of the Hamburg Transport Association (hvv).

1981 - 1983

1984 - 1989

Opening of the HANSEAT TRAVEL OFFICE in Hamburg-Harburg.

Inauguration of the new depot in Hittfeld.

Introduction of a regional tariff for the entire transport area and establishment of the Stade-Hamburg tariff association with DB and hvv.
Inauguration of the new depot in Buxtehude.

KVG takes over the Karpinski bus company and its premises in Soltau.

Opening of another HANSEAT TRAVEL OFFICE in Hamburg city centre.

1984 - 1989

1990 - 1999

Introduction of the FAHRSMART electronic payment system in Lüneburg and inauguration of the new depot in Lüneburg.

Joining the Bremen/Lower Saxony Transport Association (VBN).

New city bus concept in Winsen (Luhe). Foundation of the company "DER Hanseat Reisebüro GmbH" (Hamburg).

Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (OHE) and Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe Weser GmbH (EVB) take over the shares of Kraftverkehr Gmbh -KVG- from VBG.

New colour concept for the buses from beige-brown to white.

1990 - 1999

1990 - 1999

Introduction of the FAHRSMART electronic payment system in Lüneburg and inauguration of the new depot in Lüneburg.

Joining the Bremen/Lower Saxony Transport Association (VBN).

New city bus concept in Winsen (Luhe). Foundation of the company "DER Hanseat Reisebüro GmbH" (Hamburg).

Osthannoversche Eisenbahnen (OHE) and Verkehrsbetriebe Elbe Weser GmbH (EVB) take over the shares of Kraftverkehr Gmbh -KVG- from VBG.

New colour concept for the buses from beige-brown to white.

1990 - 1999

2003 - 2007

Integration of the districts of Stade, Harburg and Lüneburg into the hvv fare zone.

Kraftverkehr GmbH (KVG) in Stade is transferred to KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG. KVG, based in Lüneburg, becomes a wholly owned subsidiary. At the same time, the districts of Stade, Harburg and Lüneburg are integrated into the fare zone of the Hamburg Transport Association (hvv).

Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein GmbH (VB Bachstein) and Arriva Deutschland jointly establish Arriva-Bachstein GmbH (now NETINERA-Bachstein GmbH). This company acquires Osthannoversche Eisenbahn (OHE) with a capital majority of 85.12 % as part of a privatisation process by the state of Lower Saxony.

2003 - 2007

2011 - 2014

D

Verkehrsbetriebe Osthannover GmbH (VOG), a subsidiary of Osthannoversche Eisenbahn AG (OHE), is acquiring 60 % of the shares in KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG. With this a close entrepreneurial relationship is established between VB Bachstein and KVG Stade.

The "e-Ticket" pilot project starts in the district of Harburg with the introduction of the hvv Card.

Since 2014, the associated companies Verkehrsbetriebe Bachstein, CeBus, KVG and VOG have formed the high-performance BusGroup - a strategic cooperation to bundle competences in regional public transport.

2011 - 2014

2017 - 2018

KVG Stade GmbH & Co. KG celebrates its 90th anniversary with a big family party and open day at its Stade site.

Implementation of the "e-Ticket" project in the entire hvv area as well as the changeover to the hvv Card for pupils on the list.

2017 - 2018

2019

KVG wins the first tender for bus transport in the district of Harburg and has been operating regional and school transport throughout the district ever since.

2019

2020

Introduction of new operations control systems and comprehensive use of real-time information in bus transport.

Introduction of the first on-demand transport service in the KVG transport area in the district of Harburg: the elbMOBIL.

2020

2024

KVG goes digital - apps and systems for the digital booking of on-demand transport services and for digital ticket sales are being introduced in the transport areas.

Introduction of the hvv prepaid card. Cashless ticket sales are also possible on the bus without the hvv app.

In co-operation with the city of Cuxhaven, the CuxhavenTicket is introduced as an attractive offer for city transport.

2024

2025

KVG is launching e-mobility in bus transport with the first vehicles in regular operation at the site.

2025