Mainz's public transport roars back to pre-pandemic passenger levels by 2024

Public transport in Mainz has made a strong recovery, with passenger numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels by 2024. Buses and trams carried 56.8 million people last year, just shy of the 57 million recorded in 2019. The city's Mainzelbahn tram line has played a key role in this growth, outperforming expectations and similar networks in other German cities.

The Mainzelbahn was originally expected to carry around five million passengers a year by 2025. Instead, it had already reached 6.4 million by 2018—a jump of 28% above projections. Since then, ridership on the line has climbed by another 15-20%, with preliminary 2025 data suggesting a further 10% increase since 2018.

This growth contrasts with trends in comparable cities. While Koblenz and Kaiserslautern saw stagnation or declines of 5-10% due to post-COVID challenges, Mainz aligned with cities like Heidelberg and Bonn, where expansions and urban density drove rises of 10-25%. Neighboring districts have also benefited, with Marienborn up by 21.2%, Bretzenheim by 14.3%, and Lerchenberg by 9%.

On a typical weekday, between 185,000 and 190,000 passengers now use Mainz's transport system. However, ongoing construction and major track renovations have disrupted services, likely causing a slight dip in 2025 figures. Final data for the year has yet to be confirmed.

The rebound in passenger numbers highlights the Mainzelbahn's role in Mainz's transport success. With ridership nearing record levels, the city's network has outperformed many regional peers. The final 2025 figures will clarify whether construction impacts have slowed growth or if the upward trend continues.