Mainz Embraces Innovation with New Tram System for a Sustainable Future

GERMANY: In an exciting progress for public transport, Škoda has been chosen to deliver 22 new trams to Mainz between 2028 and 2030, following a competitive European tender.

The announcement made by MVG on May 20 highlights the necessity for thes modern trams. With ridership on the rise, there’s a pressing need to boost capacity while ensuring reliable service that meets contemporary standards for accessibility and climate control.

This €100 million project is primarily funded by Mainzer Stadtwerke,with additional contributions of €12 million from Mainz city and €5 million from the Rheinland-Pfalz state government.

MVG sought a tried-and-true design; similar models have already been ordered in cities like mannheim, Bonn, and Kassel. The new trams will feature bogies instead of rigid wheelsets to ensure quieter rides.

The upcoming trams will stretch out to an impressive length of 43.5 meters. They’ll be equipped with five double doors for swift boarding and alighting, accommodating up to 258 passengers—96 of whom can sit comfortably. These vehicles are set to replace six older high-floor Düwag M8C trams from the ’80s that only hold about half as many passengers (139), along with sixteen low-floor Adtranz GT6M-ZR units from ’96 that carry just slightly more (143).

The Škoda models promise a seamless floor design featuring four designated spaces for wheelchair users and ample room for strollers and bicycles—an essential upgrade given today’s urban mobility trends. Passengers can also look forward to amenities like Wi-Fi access, USB charging ports, large digital displays providing real-time information, and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout the tram.