Differences between the MVG, MVV, and DB

So everytime I walk in the Ubahn, Sbahn, bus or tram, I get welcomed by the MVG. But I buy my ticket from the MVV... The Sbahn is operated by the Deutsche Bahn. I am confused! How does this work?

The MVV is a bit of an umbrella organization. It doesn't operate any bits of the transit system, it just ensures a consistent schedule and fare system. It's like a cooperative of a bunch of transportation companies. One ticket allows you access to all participating providers.

MVG and DB are the two primary providers. MVG is a daughter company of Stadtwerke München (which in turn is a daughter company of the city). DB is, well, DB. MVG runs the U-Bahns, Trams, and various buses. DB runs the S-Bahns. Several smaller companies run buses as well. And one MVV ticket lets you into the whole system.

The MVV webpage has some information in English, including a list of participating providers and such.

Almost completely unrelated, but found some old maps of the MVV network dating back to the early 1970s, which are vaguely interesting.



Schnellbahnnetz von 1972 bis heute

Another question, for which I have received different but lgical answers: what does the 'S' and 'U' in S-Bahn and U-Bahn mean? S for surface and U for underground? S for suburban and U for urban?

I think its Suburban and Untergrundbahn.

I've been on the MVV site, but how can you find out what ring a bus stop is in??? :-/ Obvious for sbahn and ubahn but not so for buses I reckon. I've got the blue bordered print out from ticket counter but don't see stop I'm looking for there either.

Cheers.

Is suburban even a German word? I thought the S was for Schnell..

Exactly, it's short for Stadtschnellbahn or Schnellbahn. Untergrundbahn is right.

I had actually just looked up leo and read off the english side and not german... soz, i'm easily confused

Schotte, the site has a PDF download of the tariff plan for the inner zone (rings 1-4) here. Doesn't show every single bus stop but makes it clear enough for you to work it out.