Mainz axes short-distance ticket as demand plummets over 80% since 2019
Mainz has scrapped its short-distance ticket after demand collapsed by more than 80 percent in recent years. The decision follows a sharp decline in sales, with both adult and children's tickets seeing dramatic drops since 2019. Public transport officials now consider the ticket no longer worth the administrative effort required to maintain it.
In 2019, around 391,000 adult short-distance tickets were sold in Mainz. By 2025, that number had plunged to just 65,000—a fall of roughly 83 percent. Children's tickets suffered an even steeper decline, with sales down by about 88 percent over the same period.
The price difference between the short-distance ticket and multi-journey passes had shrunk over time. This, combined with rising administrative, technical, and distribution costs, made the ticket increasingly impractical. Transport authorities concluded that the resources spent on managing, inspecting, and promoting it no longer matched its limited use. The multi-journey pass, described as an 'attractive and affordable' option, remains available for occasional travellers in Mainz and Wiesbaden. Officials have ruled out reintroducing a similar short-trip fare in the future. Mainzer Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG) also expects no significant drop in overall public transport usage following the ticket's removal. The decline in short-distance ticket sales aligns with broader trends in the region. Since the launch of the Deutschlandticket in May 2022, passenger numbers in the Rhein-Main transport network (RMV) have risen by 25–30 percent, reaching over 500 million annual journeys by late 2024. The Deutschlandticket now accounts for over 40 percent of all monthly passes sold, while demand for pricier regional tickets has fallen by up to 50 percent. Meanwhile, long-distance trains like the ICE have faced overcrowding during peak hours due to increased commuter use.
The elimination of the short-distance ticket reflects its dwindling popularity and the shifting preferences of passengers. With multi-journey passes and the Deutschlandticket filling the gap, transport authorities see no need for a replacement. The move simplifies fare structures while maintaining affordable options for travellers in the region.
