Mainz and Wiesbaden axe short-distance bus and tram tickets for good

Mainz and Wiesbaden have scrapped the short-distance ticket for buses and trams. The decision follows a sharp drop in sales and rising costs for administration and distribution. Local authorities have confirmed there are no plans to bring back a similar fare option in the near future.

The short-distance ticket was once a popular choice for quick trips. But demand collapsed over the years. In 2025, only 65,000 adult tickets were sold—down from around 391,000 in 2019. Children's ticket sales fell even more, dropping by 88 percent in the same period.

The gap in price between the short-distance ticket and multi-journey passes has shrunk. Meanwhile, the costs of managing, inspecting, and distributing the ticket grew. Officials concluded that the effort no longer made sense for the limited benefit to passengers. The Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP) questioned the move, citing confusion among travellers. Yet transport authorities stood by the decision. They pointed to the Deutschland-Ticket, launched in May 2023, as a key factor in changing travel habits. The flat-rate ticket has boosted public transport use in the Rhein-Main region, with double-digit growth in passenger numbers. More people now choose buses and trams over cars, reducing demand for services like car-sharing. Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) expects little impact on overall transit usage in Mainz. They argue that the multi-journey pass remains a practical and budget-friendly option for occasional travellers.

The short-distance ticket has been removed permanently from Mainz and Wiesbaden's transport network. With the Deutschland-Ticket driving higher ridership and the multi-journey pass still available, officials see no need for a replacement. The focus now shifts to maintaining affordable and efficient travel options for residents.