The Mannheim/Ludwigshafen tram network serves the cities of Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Mannheim and Heidelberg in the Rhine-Neckar region of Germany. As the most important public transport system in the region, it connects major tourist destinations, educational institutions, railway stations and city centres.
The Ludwigshafen Metro, also known as the “Stadtbahn”, operates in Germany. Specific figures on daily ridership and fares are not available. The metro does not operate 24 hours a day and does not use driverless trains. There is no air conditioning.
Passengers are not allowed to walk between platforms and the system does not have platform screen doors. Operating hours are from 07:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Friday.
Ludwigshafen Metro Map
Map of Ludwigshafen Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Ludwigshafen Metro map in PDF format.
Network Specifications
The system, which has been operated by Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH since 2005, is a metre-gauge network comprising 10 lines. It has a total length of 103.4 km, of which 79.4 km is in Mannheim and the remaining 24 km in Ludwigshafen. Trams on this network operate at a maximum speed of 70 km/h.
Historical Perspective
Construction of the tramway network in Mannheim began in July 1877 and was operational in 1878. Originally it operated as an inner city horse railway. In May 1884, the system was expanded with the introduction of steam trams connecting Feudenheim and Mannheim. The steam tram service was further extended to Weinheim, Heidelberg and other nearby towns, operating six lines with trams arriving every 10 minutes.
Major reforms were introduced in 1985, with separate numbers for regular and emergency trams. The introduction of the MVG 2000 concept led to further changes, including the replacement of the six-axle articulated carriages with 50 low-floor trams. The network was electrified in 1900. Tram service in Ludwigshafen began at the same time as horse trams, with steam trams introduced between Dannstadt and Großkarlbach in 1890 and later extended to Meckenheim and Hochdorf. Electric trams were introduced between Mannheim and Ludwigshafen in 1902.
Operating Hours
The tram service operates 24/7, although frequency reduces during weekends and late hours. On regular weekdays, trams arrive every 10 minutes, while on Sundays and holidays, trams come every 20 minutes.
Route and Station Changes
In December 2008, changes were made to the routes of the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen tram network. These changes included
- The routes of lines 3 and 4 were changed between Mannheim Paradeplatz and Ludwigshafen Berliner.
- South of Paradeplatz, the routes of lines 3 and 7 were switched.
- As a result of these changes, BASF and Mannheim Hauptbahnhof lost their connection, so line 8 was redirected to serve rush hour passengers on this route.
- Lines 14 and 4 were merged.
- Line 12 was withdrawn.
Following the adjustments made in December 2008, the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen tram network now operates the following tram routes and their main stops as of 12 June 2016:
Line 1
Diese Linie fährt über Schönau, Bahnhof Waldhof, Alte Feuerwache, Paradeplatz, Schloss, Mannheim Hbf, Neckarau bis Rheinau Bahnhof.
Line 2
Ausgehend von Feudenheim führt diese Linie über Neckarstadt West, Mannheim Hauptfriedhof, Nationaltheater, Wasserturm zurück nach Neckarstadt West.
Line 3
Diese Linie umfasst Sandhofen, Luzenberg, Alte Feuerwache, Wasserturm, Lindenhof, Mannheim Hauptbahnhof und schließlich Neckarau West.
Line 4 and 4A
Die Linie 4A beginnt am Käfertaler Wald und die Linie 4 am Waldfriedhof. Beide Linien verkehren auf der gleichen Strecke über Hermann-Gutzmann-Schule, Mannheim Hauptbahnhof, Bonifatiuskirche, Universitätsklinikum, Alte Feuerwache, Ludwigshafen Hauptfriedhof, Berliner Platz nach Bad Dürkheim bzw. Ludwigshafen Hauptbahnhof.
Line 5
Beginnend am Nationaltheater fährt diese Linie über Weinheim, Mannheim Hauptbahnhof, Schloss, Abendakademie, Edingen, Heidelberg, Universitätsklinikum, endet in Weinheim.
Line 5A
Von der Abendakademie fährt diese Linie nach Mannheim Hauptbahnhof, Universität, Universitätsklinikum, Nationaltheater, Bonifatiuskirche, Käfertal, Wallstadt und endet in Heddesheim.
Line 6
This line serves Mundenheim, Rheingönheim, Ludwigshafen Rathaus, Berliner Platz, Mannheim Rathaus, Wasserturm and Neuostheim. Additional stops at Maimarktgelände, SAP Arena and SAP Arena S-Bahnhof are only made in the afternoon and late evening.
Line 6A
Ausgehend von Rheingönheim bedient diese Linie Mundenheim, Berliner Platz, Ludwigshafen Rathaus, Mannheim Rathaus, Wasserturm und Neuhermsheim, bevor sie an der S-Bahn-Station SAP Arena endet.
Line 7
Beginnend in Vogelstang führt diese Linie über Mannheim Hauptfriedhof, Nationaltheater, Abendakademie, Schloss, Berliner Platz, Ludwigshafen Rathaus, BASF nach Oppau.
Line 8 (Express Line)
Beginnend in Oppau führt diese Linie über BASF, Tattersall, Ludwigshafen Rathaus, Krappmühlstraße, Berliner Platz bis Mannheim Hbf (Rheinau Bahnhof).
Line 9 (Booster Line)
Die Verstärkerlinie führt von Bad Dürkheim über Maxdorf, Ludwigshafen Hbf, Ludwigshafen Berliner Platz, Mannheim Hbf, Neuostheim, Seckenheim, Heidelberg Hbf, Heidelberg Bismarckplatz zum RNV Express.
Line 10
Die Strecke beginnt am Luitpoldhafen, verläuft über Berliner Platz, Ludwigshafen Hauptbahnhof und endet in Friesenheim Mitte.
Line 15 (Booster Line)
Vom Hauptbahnhof Mannheim über Schloss, Abendakademie, Alte Feuerwache, Universitätsklinikum, Bonifatiuskirche, Käfertal, Wallstadt West nach Wallstadt Ost.
Expansion Plans
There are plans to extend the tram lines in both Mannheim and Ludwigshafen.
In Mannheim, the plan is to extend the line from Feudenheim in two directions: towards Wallstadt and IIvesheim. However, the implementation of these extensions has been delayed due to financial constraints. There is also a potential route between Mannheim Hbf and Willy-Brandt-Platz, but the feasibility of this project is in doubt due to the limited space available for building tram stations and platforms.
In Ludwigshafen, there are plans to renovate the Pfalzbau and Kaiser-Wilhelm-Straße stops. The track of line 10 between Marienkirche and Friesenheim also needs immediate attention. However, the repair work has been postponed until 2017. Other extensions, including line 4, have been proposed and approved, but have been delayed due to funding problems.
Fares and Tickets
The entire route is divided into several zones, and the fare depends on the number of zones a passenger traverses. There are various types of tickets available for travel on the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen tram, including single journey tickets, multiple journey tickets and weekend tickets. There are also special tickets issued by the RNV for schoolchildren, apprentices and senior citizens.
There are five ways to buy tickets for the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen trams:
- Directly from ticket vending machines using the touchscreen interface, with payment options of debit card or cash.
- Online from RNV’s website www.rnv-online.de/tickets. Tickets must be printed after purchase for use on the trams.
- Through the smartphone app called Handy Ticket.
- At customer care centers.
- From one of RNV’s 64 sales points throughout their operational area, which are typically shops or newspaper stalls.
Facilities and Services
The operating company has introduced several facilities to ensure passenger comfort during the tram journey.
- RNV operates customer service centres in Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg. These centres can be contacted on weekdays between 10.00 and 18.00 and on Saturdays between 10.00 and 15.00.
- Lost and found centres are operated by the company in all of the above cities, where passengers can search for their lost belongings.
- All tram stops have a large display showing tram routes, connections, transfers and timetables. Announcements are also provided for visually impaired passengers.
- Trams are accessible to disabled passengers.
Rules
RNV has established a set of rules for passengers using the tram service. It is important that you are aware of these before you start your journey.
- Passengers found travelling on RNV trams without a valid ticket will be fined 60 euros.
- Bicycles have lower priority than prams and wheelchairs. Passengers bringing bicycles on to the tram must ensure that there is enough space for prams and wheelchairs.
- If a passenger is travelling with a pet, the pet must be transported in a pet carrier. If not, a child’s ticket is required for the animal.
Tips
Travelling on the Mannheim/Ludwigshafen tram network can be an enjoyable experience, especially if you’re aware of the following tips.
- If you have a physical disability, carry your government-issued identification card with you on the trams. Not only will you get a discount on the fare, but you will also get priority seating.
- When getting on or off a tram with a pushchair, don’t forget to press the blue pushchair button near the tram door. This will signal the driver to keep the doors open longer than usual.