At the beginning of May, the Supervisory Board of Mainzer Stadtwerke AG decided to procure 22 new trams in a special meeting with the Supervisory Board of Mainz Mobilität. The Czech company Škoda will deliver the 22 trams to Mainz between 2028 and 2030. The investment volume amounts to more than 100 million euros.
Today’s trams will be replaced
The new vehicles will replace 22 of the current trams that are still in use in Mainz: Six high-floor vehicles (M8C from DÜWAG) built in 1984, which are therefore more than 40 years old, and 16 low-floor trams of the type GT6M-ZR from ADtranz from 1996. The procurement will be largely financed by Mainzer Stadtwerke AG. There are also subsidies from the city of Mainz and financial support of 5 million euros from the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Mobility to promote innovative components on the new trams.
New requirements for accessibility, modernity and air conditioning met
‘The new vehicles are absolutely essential in order to operate the tram in Mainz reliably in the long term,’ say Managing Directors Jochen Erlhof and Florian Wiesemann, explaining the necessity of the replacement purchase. At the same time, the vehicles with their higher capacity will help to cope with the growing number of passengers and fulfil today’s requirements for accessibility, modernity and air conditioning. Especially in view of the positive development in local public transport: last year, the passenger numbers once again reached the record figure of around 56.9 million from 2019 before coronavirus. Mainz Mobilität expects further increases in transport figures in the coming years.
The tram plays a central role in Mainz’s public transport system, as the rail vehicles are reliable and comfortable. Thanks to largely dedicated tracks, the tram enables fast journey times and is extremely popular with passengers. ‘However, we are now reaching our limits in terms of maintenance and operation with our 30 to 40-year-old trams. Reliable, safe and modern tram operations in Mainz are only possible in the long term with new vehicles,’ said the Managing Directors. In February 2024, Mainz Mobilität therefore launched a Europe-wide tendering process in which several well-known tram manufacturers took part.
‘As a municipal company, we have been committed to a well-developed public transport system in the city of Mainz and the surrounding area for many years. A replacement purchase on this scale is a considerable financial feat,’ says Stadtwerke CEO Daniel Gahr, emphasising the financial dimensions of this future-oriented project. Gahr: ‘We are therefore very grateful that, together with the city, we were able to find a viable and good solution to the issue of financing the new trams and that the state is supporting us financially in the expansion and modernisation of the Mainz tram system.’ The city of Mainz had set aside an investment cost subsidy of 12 million euros for 2024 in the double budget. This amount was carried forward to 2025 and is therefore available for the purchase of the new vehicles.
Tramway expansion strengthens local transport
When tendering for the new trams, Mainz Mobilität made a conscious decision in favour of vehicles with bogie technology – these are quieter in operation than vehicles with rigid wheelsets and reduce wear on wheels and rails in the bends. According to the transport company, the Škoda ForCity Smart model is a proven and reliable tram type. Škoda has already delivered 150 of these vehicles since 2022 – including trams of this type in Mannheim, Bonn and Kassel. In Mainz, the vehicles will be around 43.5 metres long and have 5 double doors for easy boarding and alighting. Each train can carry a calculated 258 passengers – 96 of whom are seated. By way of comparison, the M8C high-floor trams, which are due to be phased out in the medium term, can accommodate around 139 passengers, while the low-floor GT6M-ZR trams from Adrantz can carry 143 passengers. The Škoda trams are barrier-free thanks to the continuous step-free passenger floor and, with their spacious multifunctional areas, offer four wheelchair spaces and significantly more space for the increasing number of pushchairs, walking frames and bicycles. There is WLAN, USB charging facilities and large information displays for passengers. The trains are air-conditioned and all lighting is equipped with energy-saving LED technology.
Tramway extension in Mainz
The city of Mainz and Mainz Mobilität are planning several tram projects to improve public transport and make the city more sustainable. Since 2018, the city of Mainz has been pursuing the ‘Green City Masterplan M3’, which aims to be almost climate-neutral by 2035. By then, 95 per cent of climate-damaging greenhouse gases are to be reduced compared to 1990 levels. An important component of this plan is networked, attractive and sustainable mobility, in which the tram plays a major role. In its resolution of 3 June 2020, Mainz City Council voted by a large majority in favour of expanding the tram network and provided for ‘extensive public participation’. These projects are part of the ‘M for Future – My Tram City’ programme and comprise three central sub-projects. The city centre ring project is currently in the approval planning stage. Commissioning is planned between 2029 and 2030.
Project 1: Binger Straße
Since June 2024, a new tram connection is under construction between Alicenplatz and Münsterplatz. This roughly 300-meter section is intended to relieve congestion at the overloaded Mainz central station and shorten travel times. The new track is expected to go into operation by the end of 2025.
Project 2: City Center
A new tram route is planned to connect the historic city center (Altstadt) with the Neustadt district. The proposed alignment will run from Schillerplatz via Ludwigsstraße, Schusterstraße, and Große Bleiche to Rheinallee – this was finally decided a few weeks ago. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2029.
Project 3: Heiligkreuz District and University Hospital
This project aims to extend the tram network to the new Heiligkreuz residential district and the University Hospital. It is currently in the planning phase, with opportunities for public participation and consultation ongoing.
In the longer term, a feasibility study is also being prepared to evaluate potential tram extensions into the surrounding Rheinhessen region. All of these projects are part of the city’s broader strategy to improve the efficiency and sustainability of public transport in Mainz.
21.05.2025
