Mühlheim’s free park-and-ride lot to charge fees after Deutsche Bahn takeover
Paid parking is coming to the park-and-ride lot on the north side of Mühlheim am Main station. The change follows Deutsche Bahn’s decision to take back control of the site after a long-term lease expired. Local officials and commuters have already raised concerns about the move and its impact on daily travel.
For nearly 30 years, the city of Mühlheim am Main leased the land along upper Dammstraße from Deutsche Bahn. Under the agreement, the area served as a free park-and-ride facility, with the city handling maintenance and upkeep. That lease officially ended on December 3, 2025, allowing Deutsche Bahn to reclaim full control over the site.
The company has now announced plans to introduce parking fees for the northern lot near Dammstraße. However, the southern P&R area by Bahnweg will remain free to use. City authorities, including Mayor Dr. Alexander Krey, were not informed in advance about the timing or details of the new charges. Krey criticised the decision as a 'wrong traffic policy signal' and clarified that the city would not benefit financially from the fees.
Commuters have also voiced frustration over the state of the station forecourt and the underpass, which Deutsche Bahn is now responsible for maintaining. The company has yet to announce specific pricing or future adjustments for the paid parking scheme.
The city has called on Deutsche Bahn to share its plans openly and explain the reasoning behind the parking fees. With the northern lot set to become paid and the southern lot staying free, commuters will soon face a change in how they access the station. Maintenance of the area will now fall entirely under Deutsche Bahn’s responsibility.
