EPF is thrilled to announce the addition of a new member organisation: Berliner Fahrgastverband IGEB. During the EPF’s recent Annual General Assembly in Luxembourg on 5 April 2025, IGEB was warmly welcomed into the federation. With over four decades of experience, IGEB brings expertise in public transport advocacy, infrastructure planning, and citizen engagement, making it a strong and valuable addition to EPF’s network.
Founded in Berlin-Charlottenburg on 3 July 1980, IGEB holds the distinction of being the oldest passenger advocacy group in Germany. Originally established under the name “Interessengemeinschaft Eisenbahn Berlin e.V.”, the organisation emerged at a time of considerable challenges for Berlin’s rail and public transport services. IGEB was created to advocate for better conditions on long-distance rail services operated by the Reichsbahn, particularly for transit traffic in Berlin (West). As the S-Bahn system faced disruption and eventual strike action in 1980, IGEB became a vocal and active force pushing for integration of the S-Bahn into Berlin’s wider public transport network and for the restoration of suspended services.
Over the years, IGEB expanded its scope to include bus and underground services and became a catalyst for the creation of nationwide passenger associations such as the Deutscher Bahnkundenverband (DBV) and Pro Bahn. Today, IGEB focuses on passenger-relevant issues in Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. The organisation works closely with transport policy-makers, operating companies, infrastructure managers, and the Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB).
With around 200 members, IGEB is a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation, financed entirely through donations. Politically and commercially independent, it operates solely in the interest of passengers. The group meets weekly to address ongoing transport issues and participates in advisory boards and working groups on infrastructure and service planning. Their well-known “passenger clinics” provide an open forum where the public can engage directly with planners and operators.
IGEB’s strong presence in regional media and policy discussions has made it a trusted voice in Berlin-Brandenburg transport advocacy. Its bi-monthly journal, Signal, reaches an audience of professionals, decision-makers, and interested citizens, further amplifying the organisation’s influence and insights.
EPF recognises the valuable expertise that IGEB brings through its long-standing commitment to passenger advocacy and its active role in shaping transport policy in Berlin and Brandenburg. By joining forces, EPF and IGEB can strengthen their shared mission of promoting accessible, efficient, and passenger-centred mobility solutions across Europe. Together, we aim to amplify the voice of passengers and work towards a more inclusive, reliable, and sustainable public transport system for all.
Read more about IGEB here.