Mainz axes short-distance transport ticket amid plunging demand and rising costs
Mainz has scrapped its short-distance public transport ticket in 2024. The decision follows a sharp decline in demand and rising costs for the service. Officials point to the success of the national Deutschlandticket as a key reason for the change.
The short-distance ticket once proved popular, but sales have plummeted in recent years. Adult ticket purchases dropped by 83%, falling from around 391,000 in 2019 to just 65,000 in 2025. Children's tickets saw an even steeper decline of 88%.
The introduction of the Deutschlandticket in May 2022 played a major role in the shift. Priced at €49 per month, it offered a cheaper alternative for regular travellers. As a result, local short-trip fares became less appealing, leading to a 70% drop in their usage. Rising administrative, technical, and distribution costs further reduced the ticket's viability. Despite concerns raised by the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP), the city confirmed there are no plans to bring back a similar fare. Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) expects no negative impact on overall public transport usage, citing strong growth in ridership since the Deutschlandticket's launch.
The elimination of the short-distance ticket reflects changing travel habits in Mainz. With the Deutschlandticket now covering most journeys, fewer passengers rely on single-trip options. The city's transport operator remains confident that demand for public transit will stay high.
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