MDV raises public transport fares by 5.6% starting August 2026
Tram and Bus Fares in Halle (Saale) Set to Rise
The shareholder assembly of the Central German Transport Association (Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund, MDV) has approved fare adjustments, following multiple rounds of coordination among all stakeholders in MDV committees. Shareholders include the Halle Public Transport Company (Hallesche Verkehrs AG, HAVAG) and the city of Halle (Saale). Subject to approval by state and local regulatory authorities, the changes will take effect on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
A single ticket will cost ā¬3.50ā10 cents more than beforeāwhile a short-distance fare in Halle will rise by the same amount to ā¬2.50. The trainee monthly pass (Azubi-Abo) will increase by 80 cents to ā¬53.10, and the student travel card (Schoolcard) will go up by 50 cents to ā¬30.70. For a full list of updated prices, see the link below.
The adjustments mark the first steps toward streamlining the fare structure to make it more user-friendly. The Germany Ticket (Deutschlandticket) has already simplified access to local public transport, rendering some MDV fare products far less relevant and creating unnecessary administrative costs. With federal and state funding for the Germany Ticket secured through 2030, MDV's member transport companies and authorities have agreed to gradually simplify fares. The goal is to create a clearer, more accessible system for passengers while reducing operational burdens on providers.
At the same time, the low-cost Germany Ticket continues to widen the gap between revenue and rising operational expenses for local transport operators. The capped compensation budget from federal and state governments does not fully cover the shortfall. MDV partners also face sharply higher fuel prices, wage increases under collective bargaining agreements, and rising costs from industrial partners and service providers. The August 1 price adjustment aims to offset these pressures, ensuring the long-term stability of local transport services and enabling investments in vehicles, infrastructure, and customer service.
Simplifications for PassengersāFirst Changes Effective August 1
The expanded 24-Hour Ticket Plus for Halle and the surrounding region will now allow ticket holders to bring up to three children free of charge, making it an attractive option for families. Previously available only in Leipzig, this ticket becomes cost-effective in rural districts after just two trips. It is designed primarily for occasional travelers who do not hold a Germany Ticket or other subscription. Due to declining sales, the existing 24-hour group ticket (for 3ā5 people) and the 24-hour child ticket will be discontinued.
The 4-trip ticket in rural districts (except in Naumburg, Zeitz, and WeiĆenfels city networks) and the 9 a.m. monthly pass in Halle will also be phased out due to low demand.
Double the Value: Halle's straight-line fare system (Luftlinientarif) will introduce a discounted daily best-price rate, offering additional savings for ABO Flex subscribers. As digital ticketing grows in popularity, transport operators are pushing for even greater simplicityāeliminating the need for passengers to navigate complex fare rules.
New Prices at a Glance
Fares in the MDV network will rise by an average of 5.56% in the districts of Altenburger Land, Burgenlandkreis, Leipzig, Nordsachsen, and Saalekreis, by 5.0% in Leipzig, and by 3.2% in Halle.
A complete overview of fare products and prices effective August 1, 2026, is available in the appendix.
Service Information for Passengers
For questions about train, S-Bahn, tram, and bus services in the MDV region, passengers can use the free customer chatbot at www.mdv.de or contact the MDV info hotline. All current tickets and offers valid through July 31, 2026, are listed on the website. Previously purchased tickets remain valid until the end of the year.
About the Central German Transport Association (MDV)
The Central German Transport Association (MDV) was founded on August 1, 2001, and for the past 25 years has provided an integrated local transport network across Central Germany. With its "one-ticket-for-all" principle, the association offers straightforward solutions for regional travel.
The MDV service area includes the cities of Halle (Saale) and Leipzig, as well as the districts of Leipzig, Northern Saxony, Saalekreis, Burgenlandkreis, and Altenburger Land. It also covers local rail routes in Wittenberg and Anhalt-Bitterfeld districts and the city of Dessau-RoĆlau (MDV Nord). Spanning 11,300 square kilometers, the transport network extends across parts of the three federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, connecting 2.1 million people to public transit. MDV tickets are valid for S-Bahn trains, regional rail services, buses, and trams. A total of 14 transport companies operate daily for passengers, collectively covering 80 million scheduled kilometers per yearāthe equivalent of circling the globe five times each day.
The MDV is a mixed transport association comprising both authorities and transport operators. Bus and tram services are commissioned by the districts and the independent cities of Halle and Leipzig. The S-Bahn and regional rail services are contracted by Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH (NASA), the Leipzig Regional Transport Association (ZVNL), and the Free State of Thuringia.
