copyright: OVAG
Public Transport (ÖPNV)
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
The Oberbergischer Kreis is responsible for public transport tasks (§ 3 paragraph 1 of the Public Transport Act in North Rhine-Westphalia (ÖPNVG NRW)). In collaboration with transport companies and municipalities, the Oberbergischer Kreis is responsible for planning public transport.
Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS)
The Oberbergischer Kreis is a member of the Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg (VRS). This association establishes uniform tariffs for the use of public transport within the association's territory.
Bus Transport
The bus services in the Oberbergischer Kreis are operated by various transport companies. The majority of transport services are provided by OVAG Oberbergische Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH. Other transport companies often handle cross-district journeys.
Detailed information about public transport services in the Oberbergischer Kreis can be found on the OVAG website.
monti is a flexible on-demand service in public transport, operating independently of fixed routes or predefined schedules.
monti is available for trips within Wiehl and Nümbrecht, as well as between the two municipalities. In Marienheide, monti operates only within the municipal area.
Booking
monti can be booked via the app rufmobil.nrw or by phone. Boarding and alighting are currently possible at over 600 fixed and virtual stops.
The Bürgerbus is operated by an association founded specifically for this purpose with volunteer drivers. The association determines route networks, route guidance, operating hours, and timetables in coordination with the Oberbergischer Kreis. Bürgerbuses are subject to the same legal framework as professionally conducted public transport.
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, there are 10 Bürgerbus associations.
General information about operating a Bürgerbus can be found on the Pro Bürgerbus NRW e.V. website.
Rail Transport
Oberbergische Bahn (RB 25)
In the Oberbergischer Kreis, the cities and municipalities of Engelskirchen, Gummersbach, and Marienheide are connected to the rail network via the RB 25. The RB 25 runs from Lüdenscheid through the Oberbergischer Kreis to Cologne.
go.Rheinland is responsible for the planning and operation of rail transport in the Oberbergischer Kreis. go.Rheinland is a cooperation between the transport associations VRS (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Sieg) and AVV (Aachener Verkehrsverbund). The Oberbergischer Kreis is a member of VRS.
Wiehltalbahn
The Wiehltalbahn is a railway line in the Oberbergischer Kreis that runs from Osberghausen via Wiehl to Waldbröl. The line has been gradually developed over the course of history and has been part of the regional infrastructure for many decades.
Today, the Wiehltalbahn is primarily used for tourist trips, such as with the Bergischer Löwe. Historical vehicles are used, providing insights into the region's railway history and making the Wiehltal uniquely experienceable.
As part of regional mobility and infrastructure planning, the significance and potential future use of the route are being considered. Different development perspectives and framework conditions are being examined.
Feasibility study on the reactivation of the Wiehltalbahn, final report 15.07.2016
Taxi and Rental Cars
Taxis and rental cars complement public transport services and enable flexible travel within the region and beyond. Taxis are used for spontaneous trips both in everyday life and leisure. Rental cars are usually booked in advance.
Both forms of transport help to close mobility gaps and improve accessibility, especially in rural areas.
The Oberbergischer Kreis grants licenses for taxis and rental cars and sets taxi fares in the taxi tariff regulations.
Public Transport Planning
The local transport plan forms the framework for the development of public transport and contains the objectives for how public transport should evolve in the coming years.
Funding and Financing of Public Transport
OFT! was one of seven selected projects in the second funding call of the Federal Funding "Model Projects to Strengthen Public Transport" by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The funding period was from January 2023 to March 2026. The recipients of the funding were the Oberbergischer Kreis and OVAG. Overall, OFT! included 24 subordinate project measures, which, among other things, expanded the existing on-demand transport and developed the OVAG app.
The Oberbergischer Kreis is obliged to finance its commissioned transport companies. Ensuring a qualitatively and quantitatively adequate and state-of-the-art public transport (ÖPNV) service incurs costs for transport companies that cannot be covered by ticket sales alone. With the ÖPNV lump sum, the state of NRW secures part of the funding for road-bound public transport, thereby relieving the Oberbergischer Kreis.
Students, trainees, and university students have the opportunity to use public transport (ÖPNV) at reduced prices. The state of NRW supports cost compensation through the training transport subsidy. The Oberbergischer Kreis is an authorized recipient of the training transport subsidy and forwards it to eligible transport companies based on a general regulation.
Public Transport (ÖPNV) Comprehensive Reports
The Oberbergischer Kreis is responsible for ensuring an adequate supply of transport services for citizens in public transport (ÖPNV) as part of public services. It is obligated to provide an annual comprehensive report giving an overview of the current situation in the district. This report includes information about the transport companies operating in the Oberbergischer Kreis, the kilometers traveled, as well as the costs incurred and compensation payments.
Contact
Marcel Weber
Karlstr. 14-16
2.Obergeschoss, Raum: 215
51643 Gummersbach
Maja Jürgens
Karlstr. 14-16
2.Obergeschoss, Raum: 211
51643 Gummersbach
