Hamburger Verkehrsverbund
The Hamburger Verkehrsverbund (HVV) () is a transport association coordinating public transport in and around Hamburg, Germany. Its main objectives are to provide a unified fare system, requiring only a single ticket for journeys with transfers between different operating companies, and to facilitate and speed up travel by harmonising the individual companies' schedules. At its inception in 1965, the HVV was the first organisation of its kind worldwide. As of 2010, the HVV provides rail, bus and ferry transportation for an area of 8,616 square kilometres with approximately 3.6 million inhabitants in the states of Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and  Lower Saxony. The HVV has approximately 1.95 million customers on an average working day. The HVV acts as the overall coordinating body for transport in the conurbation, with representation by the Hamburger Hochbahn (Hamburg elevated railway); Deutsche Bahn (DB, German Federal Railways); AKN railway company (Altona-Kaltenkirchen-Neumünster Railway); HADAG Seetouristik und Fährdienst AG (HADAG sea-tourism and ferry service plc); VHH (Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein / Hamburg Holstein Transport Ltd), and KVG Stade (Kraftverkehrgesellschaft Stade, GmbH / Motor Traffic Company, LLC). With an average of 50,000 commuters per day the "Metrobus 5" bus line is the busiest in Europe. In the city  centre, stops are served without a specific schedule every two or three minutes and since December 2005, extra long double-articulated buses have been used. History. The HVV was founded on 29 November 1965, with the four initial partners, Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HHA), Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB), HADAG Seetouristik und Fährdienst AG and Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH). The first results that the new organisation delivered came on 1 January 1967 with a unified fare structure, pooling of receipts and coordinated systemwide timetables across all modes of transport. Organisation. The public transport authorities (PTAs) are also the tendering organisations and owners of  the limited liability company Hamburger Verkehrsverbund ("GmbH"). The Free and Hanseatic city of Hamburg (85.5%), the State of Schleswig-Holstein (3%), the State of Lower Saxony (2%) and the Districts Herzogtum Lauenburg, Pinneberg, Segeberg, Stormarn, Harburg, Lüneburg and Stade (9.5%) are these PTAs. Services. Rail transport. In 2006, the HVV organised 27 rapid transit rail lines with a length of , with the following operators: Buses. The following companies operate bus services for the HVV: Ferries. HADAG Seetouristik und Fährdienst operates ferries on the Elbe river. Fares. The unified fare system includes cash ticket sales (16%), season tickets (for week, month , or year) (72%) and disabled passengers, combined tickets, fare evaders, etc. (12%). In 2011, ticket revenue was €652.2 million. Cash tickets for one ride or the day can be bought at all railway stations, ferry slots or in all buses. There are also "family tickets" (for 2 adults and 3 children) or group tickets for up to 5 adults. The HVV offers travel passes ('ProfiCard'), and semester tickets for the students of all major universities, both heavily discounted. The HVV also offers tickets over mobile phones. Most tickets are not transferable to other persons. Special programs. The HVV offers  a variety of types of weekly or monthly special fares. School pupils, students, trainees and apprentices. For all public school pupils, tickets can be bought at the company service centers. Other schools need to be registered by the HVV. The semester tuition for most universities include the ticket pass. Trainees and apprentices need be registered by the chamber of commerce to get a season ticket. Children. All children to the age of six are free of charge. For older children, seasonal tickets can be chosen. Senior citizens. Weekly or monthly tickets for anybody 63 or older are sold at service  centers.