Mobility in Aachen: Tariff Reform, Regiotram, and More in March 2026

Mobility in Aachen: Tariff Reform, Regiotram, and More in March 2026

Mobility is a central topic in the Aachen region, actively shaped by the city and regional partners such as AVV and go.Rheinland. In March 2026, several decisions and discussions took place in Aachen that will shape the future development of public transport, cycling infrastructure, and mobility offerings. The debates reflected not only technical challenges but also political and financial tensions.

AVV Tariff Reform: Structural Change for Greater Regional Integration

The AVV tariff reform, adopted in March 2026, marks a milestone for regional mobility. The new Rheinlandtarif introduces three price levels – rural, urban, and Rheinlandnetz – and is supplemented by the Eezy tariff, a digital point-to-point tariff intended for occasional users. The Deutschlandticket remains a central product for regular users. The reform becomes effective from June 1, 2026.

The price adjustments also affect children (50–55% discount) and include 24-hour tickets as well as a flat-rate option for taking a bicycle on board. The digitalization of the offer, however, was critically discussed, particularly the concern about marginalization due to purely digital access. Parliamentary representative Frau Strack explicitly called for a cash tariff, indicating broad concerns about financial stability.

Cycling and Alternative Mobility: The Future of Freedom of Movement

Cycling is a central pillar of the mobility transition in Aachen. The Cycling Action Plan was highlighted as an important instrument to improve the connectivity of the route network. Particularly noteworthy is the connection to the city's demographic strategy, which classifies the expansion of cycle paths as a measure to secure mobility for older people.

Specific projects such as the e-bike rental scheme and the planning of e-scooter parking areas were also discussed. One challenge encountered here was GPS inaccuracies, which led to imprecise parking zones. The city now plans to launch a tender to close these gaps.

Regiotram: Technology and Politics in Harmony

The Regiotram remains a central project in the city's transport planning. Technical decisions limit the political leeway, which is why the planning will proceed in two phases. The location of the future workshop is the subject of intense discussions. The vehicle concept envisions a bi-directional electric vehicle (possibly with battery) with a length of approximately 45 meters.

The planning is closely linked to the Sportpark Soers and Tivoli, especially in the context of events. The Regiotram will thus not only generate tourist, but also economic impulses.

Public Transport Planning: Direct Connection to the Rursee and More

The optimization of public transport offerings was another focus. The line SB63, which will offer a direct connection to the Rursee from 2026, was adopted as a response to a SPD council motion. The new connection will run Monday to Friday every 60 minutes and on weekends every 120 minutes. Additionally, additional services are planned for the summer season.

ASEAG also plans a timetable change at the beginning of September 2026, which will go hand in hand with service optimizations. However, line 30 will be reduced, which will affect the frequency. The financing of measures such as OL1 and SB71 relies on municipal funds, with additional funding possibly required from 2027 onwards.

Outlook: Mobility as a Key Issue for the Future

The developments in Aachen show that mobility is no longer just a traffic issue, but a central part of urban and regional development. Digitalization, the integration of alternative modes of transport, and the orientation towards demographic needs are decisive topics that will gain in importance in the coming years.

The discussions around the Regiotram, the AVV tariff reform, and the expansion of cycling infrastructure show that Aachen is actively committed to a sustainable, inclusive, and modern mobility. The challenges of financing, technical implementation, and political coordination, however, remain – and precisely these make mobility planning so exciting and necessary.