GVH Social Tariff

Together with the Region Hannover, the GVH offers a social tariff. It allows travelling at reduced prices with the buses and trams within the tariff area. The GVH social tariff includes the "Day Ticket S (Tageskarte S)", the "Day Ticket S for children (Tageskarte S Kind)" and the "Monthly pass S (Monatskarte S)", which is valid for one month.

Important: From 13.12.2015 you no longer need the token S for purchasing the Day Ticket S (Tageskarte S) and the Day Ticket S for children (Tageskarte S Kind).

Who is entitled to use it?

  • Recipients receiving supplementary benefits or benefits in accordance with the Social Security Code SGB XII
  • Recipients receiving unemployment benefit II or income support pursuant to SGB II
  • Recipients receiving basic benefits and special benefits according to the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Law (AsylbLG)
  • Recipients receiving supplementary subsistence allowance and 'help for care' according to the Federal Law on war pensions (BVG)
  • Children living in a community of members of a household in need of benefit, which do not receive job centre benefits due to the children housing benefits
  • Pensioners living in a SGB II community in need of benefit and receiving no benefits from the job centre but pension

How does it work?

All persons entitled to use the social tariff, receive a "Region S Card" from the Region Hannover. If this was not the case or you have lost it, please contact the social welfare offices of your city or municipality or the Region Hannover Jobcenter. This also applies in case of a later receipt of benefits.

The "Region S Card"entitles to purchase the "Day Ticket S (Tageskarte S)", the "Day Ticket S for children (Tageskarte S Kind)" und die "Monthly pass S (Monatskarte S)".

For the Day Tickets you no longer need a "Token S".

Good to know:

  • Children under six years of age basically travel with all buses and trams within the GVH free of charge.
  • The "Day Ticket S for children (Tageskarte S Kind)" is valid for children aged 6 to 14.
  • The "Monthly pass S (Monatskarte S)" entitles the passenger on weekdays after 19.00 and all day on weekends and public holidays to take an adult and up to three children or young person under 18 for free. The co-travellers must as well have a Region S Card (Region-S-Karte).
  • If the journey is about to go further, you can enlarge the GVH Mobile Card (GVH-Monthly pass S) with a GVH Day Ticket S (GVH-Tageskarte S) by the entire tariff area. The token S is not required in this case.
  • Holders of the "Region-S-Card" can enjoy the "Zoo Hannover" at an advantageous price: During summer season the discount amounts to 5 € for a day ticket and in the winter time 3 €.

Something to bear in mind:

  • The "Day Ticket S (Tageskarte S)" and the "Day Ticket S for children (Tageskarte S Kind)" are valid only in connection with the "Region S Card (Region-S-Karte)" and the token "Wertmarke S", which the holder must present when requested to do so.
  • For the "Monthly pass S (Monatskarte S)" you need a "Region S Card (Region-S-Karte)" and an official identity document, which you have to present when requested to do so.
  • All authorised persons receive their own "Region S Card (Region-S-Karte)". It is valid for a full year. But it immediately loses validity after withdrawal from receipt of benefits.
Any questions? The Region Hannover will help you!

Contact the Region Hannover by phone from Monday to Friday between 10 am und 3 pm at

+49 (511) 616 210 00

    How can we help you?

    The ÜSTRA Customer Centre

    Karmarschstraße 30/32
    30159 Hanover

    Opening hours:
    Mon. - Fri. 9:30 – 20:00
    Sat. 9:30 –18:00

    Lost and found

    Have you lost something on the bus or tram? Here you will find the way to the ÜSTRA lost property office.