Wiesbaden has been on the move since August 16, 1875 – from the very first horse-drawn tram through the Nerotal valley to today’s cutting-edge electric bus fleet.
150 years of public transport in Wiesbaden tell the story not just of a transit company, but of a city that grows, changes – and never stands still.
From imperial spa guests to daily commuters and festivalgoers – public transport has always been part of everyday life, leisure, and progress. It connects neighborhoods, people, and generations – then and now.
This anniversary page invites you to take a journey through a century and a half of mobility in Wiesbaden – with historic milestones, rare images, and a look ahead at the future of urban transport.
A Few Numbers & Facts
16. August 1875 | Opening of Wiesbaden’s First Horse-Drawn Tram: Untere Rheinstraße – Wilhelmstraße – Taunusstraße – Nerotal |
1888 | Opening of the Neroberg Railway |
1896 | First electric tram |
1913 | Founding of the “Blue Spa Buses”; regular service to Schlangenbad and Langenschwalbach. Excursion traffic in Taunus and Rheingau |
1933-1945 | As a municipal company, the transport services were integrated into the Nazi state. |
1954-1955 | First use of articulated buses; the last tram lines 6, 8, and 9 are converted to bus operation. |
1968 -1969 | Bus lanes and route consolidation in the city center, along with a new bus network. |
1970 | ESWE: The letters S and W from Stadtwerke Wiesbaden have been spelled out phonetically in uppercase as ES and WE since a marketing campaign to modernize the company. |
1975 | Founding of the Mainz-Wiesbaden Transport Association |
1986 | Introduction of an “environmental subscription” |
1988 | Centennial anniversary of the Neroberg Railway with record attendance |
1990 ff. | 18 ESWE buses operate in Wiesbaden’s partner city Görlitz |
1991 | Introduction of low-floor buses |
1995 | Wiesbaden joins the Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV) |
2000 | Conversion of the transport company into the independent ESWE Verkehrs-Gesellschaft mbH |
2015 | Complete merger of ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft mbH with its subsidiaries |
2019 | Introduction of the first electric buses |
2019 | Record passenger numbers of nearly 61.16 million passengers |
2025 | 25 years of ESWE Verkehr as an independent company & 150 years of public transport in Wiesbaden |
A tram with 1 horsepower
In the mid-19th century, Wiesbaden was a thriving city: a seat of government and administration, a congress and spa town. Known as the “Nice of the North,” it attracted numerous spa guests from around the world – including Emperor Wilhelm II, whose entourage included many nobles, artists, and entrepreneurs settling in this “world spa city.” At the same time, industrialization was in full swing. People were moving from rural areas to cities to find work in large factories. The city grew not only in size with new districts but also in population. Between 1820 and 1880, its population increased tenfold to over 50,000, with many visitors and spa guests adding to the numbers. This led to a growing demand for mobility, both within the city and to the surrounding areas.
During this period, the idea of centrally operated public streetcars emerged. A pioneer in this field was Danish engineer A. W. Møller. Under his leadership, the first horse-drawn tram began operating in Berlin on June 22, 1865. Møller himself founded a company and sought to convince other cities of the benefits of streetcars – including Wiesbaden’s city administration.
However, at a meeting on April 8, 1872, the city council rejected the proposal – and parts of Wiesbaden’s citizenry were opposed to the prospect of a horse-drawn tram running through the city streets. A broad public debate about the advantages of modern urban transport ensued, followed by a political process. This ended with the granting of a concession and the opening of Wiesbaden’s first horse-drawn tram on August 16, 1875 – the 11th tramway in the German Empire. The initial route connected Untere Rheinstraße and the city center with the Nerotal valley.
From then on, public transport in Wiesbaden developed rapidly. New lines were added, some running at eight-minute intervals and serving up to 2,000 passengers daily.
SEG and ESWE
The Süddeutsche Eisenbahngesellschaft (SEG) was founded on February 11, 1895, in Darmstadt through the merger of various private railways operated by railway entrepreneur Hermann Bachstein, including the steam tram, horse-drawn tram, and Neroberg Railway in Wiesbaden. Starting in 1929, the SEG gradually discontinued its tram lines, which were finally taken over by the city of Wiesbaden in 1943.
In 1929, the "Municipal Transport Services" were established, gradually replacing SEG tram lines with bus routes. Later, the transport services were integrated into the city’s utility works, operating under the name “Stadtwerke Wiesbaden Aktiengesellschaft.” Since a marketing campaign in the mid-1970s, the company has been known as “ESWE,” with the letters S and W pronounced phonetically.
From Electric Trams to Buses
The first electric tram line, running from Rheinstraße to the Walkmühl Brewery, opened as early as 1896, fully replacing horse-drawn and steam tram services by 1900. However, the development of the complex network operated by ESWE Verkehrsgesellschaft, as known today in Wiesbaden, was a long process shaped by social, economic, and political changes as well as two world wars.
The “Blue Spa Buses” not only served popular excursion destinations but, from 1913 onwards, also operated regular routes to Schlangenbad and Langenschwalbach.
The expansion of public transport was halted by the outbreak of World War I.
It wasn’t until 1922 that an inner-city bus line was launched, with double-decker buses running between Luisenplatz and Schierstein (Harbor). From 1929 onwards, trams were gradually replaced by diesel-powered buses.
The Neroberg Railway
On September 25, 1888, the Neroberg Railway was officially opened. Following the French tradition, the celebrations were accompanied by a “déjeuner” – and the festivities apparently continued for weeks, as by November 1888 a police ordinance was issued: disturbances such as noise and singing by passengers, as well as climbing onto the benches inside the carriages, could be punished with fines up to 9 Marks or even imprisonment. In 1925, the city of Wiesbaden took over the Neroberg Railway.
The funicular connects the Nerotal valley with the summit of the Neroberg and has always been primarily used by tourists. Over its 438-meter-long track, the distinctive yellow cars overcome an elevation difference of about 83 meters, with gradients of 19% and even up to 26% in some sections. The Neroberg Railway is considered the last funicular built as a water-balance and cogwheel railway and is today a technical cultural monument protected under the Hessian Monument Protection Act. It underwent a complete overhaul in 1972 and celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1988 with record visitor numbers.
Society and Mobility: Transport as Part of Urban Life
“The world spa city, where Europe gathered in the years before World War I, had to constantly strive to offer something to its pampered guests. Besides theater and concerts, festive balls, fireworks, promenading, and horseback riding, spa and bathing life naturally included excursions […] to the magnificent Rheingau or visits to the neighboring spas.” – Klaus Kopp, in: 100 Years of Wiesbaden Transport Services 1875-1975, p. 169.
An indispensable part of social life
Wiesbaden, one of the most important spa towns of the 19th and early 20th centuries, is a place of healing and relaxation, a center of cultural life and social exchange for an international audience. At the heart of it all: public transport. With the expansion of transport infrastructure, trips to neighboring spas and excursions into nature became an integral part of social life. Transport thus became part of the experience and quality of life for both residents and visitors – then and now. Public transport is also a daily companion, making shopping, commuting to work, or visiting the doctor easier. Wiesbaden became even more connected when, starting in 1969, existing links to outer districts and suburbs were improved.
The importance of public transport in Wiesbaden is especially evident every year during the Pentecost Tournament. ESWE brings its horsepower to the streets, making the event more accessible with good connections – just as it does throughout the year for events like the Rheingau Music Festival, exhibitions, or the wine festival. But beyond major events, public transport has long been an indispensable part of modern social life in Wiesbaden and the surrounding region, connecting everyday life, culture, and leisure.
Sustainably on the Move
Public transport is for everyone—and it’s climate-friendly, too. As early as 1986, ESWE introduced the “Environmental Subscription,” a heavily discounted monthly ticket called the “Sky Blue Monthly Pass,” available for 50 DM. In the first month alone, passenger numbers rose by an average of 7%, and among adults even by 11.8%. Although only a few fully switched from their own cars at that time, ESWE’s attractive offer became an important milestone in Wiesbaden’s traffic transition.
This commitment went beyond fares. In the late 1960s, dedicated bus lanes were introduced, allowing buses to move faster through the city—a groundbreaking innovation invented in Wiesbaden! Traffic experts from all over came to see, and the bus lanes became a model that would be expanded steadily in the years to come.
The fleet was continually expanded, and the route network grew. Long before climate change became a widespread concern, the city and ESWE were successfully transforming mobility: In a representative survey from June 1990, nearly half of Wiesbaden’s residents (45%) stated that public transport had improved over the previous four years.
A (Union) Bond for Life
The connection between the transport companies of Wiesbaden and Mainz is a true success story. It originally stemmed from the joint operation of two tram lines from the former SEG to improve the link between the two cities. The agreement was renewed in 1949, shortly before the war-damaged Rhine bridge was reopened to traffic. Border controls between the French occupation zone (on the Mainz side) and the American occupation zone (in Wiesbaden) still complicated smooth operations. Yet the determination to maintain joint lines between the neighboring cities overcame this hurdle.
About 30 years later, this collaboration led to the next major milestone for public transport in the region: the founding of the Mainz-Wiesbaden Transport Association (VMW) in 1975. Passengers benefited directly from the association: unified fares, well-timed and coordinated connections, and fewer transfers. Bridges were literally built to connect cities and people.
This process advanced even further about 20 years later when large parts of the Rhine-Main region joined together in the Rhine-Main Transport Association (RMV) in the early 1990s. As a precursor, from June 1993, a transition fare to the Frankfurt Transport Association was introduced—the “Rhine-Main Commuter Ticket.” Various fares were harmonized, tariff zones optimized, and the transport structure simplified to best serve the network area. On May 28, 1995, the RMV was officially launched, comprising the state of Hesse along with 11 cities and 15 districts.
Leisure Express, low-floor buses, and wine lovers
Affordable tickets, dedicated bus lanes, and a large, modern bus fleet – the perfect combination to make daily life with public transport easy. Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes into keeping this running smoothly: putting modern buses with up-to-date technology and maximum comfort for passengers on the road is an ongoing effort. In Wiesbaden, this has a long tradition: the first articulated buses rolled through the city in 1953. In the early 1970s, the first VÖV standard buses (VÖV = Association of Public Transport Companies, now the Association of German Transport Companies, VDV) were introduced and have been continuously developed ever since.
In 1991, the first low-floor buses hit the streets of Wiesbaden. They can lower their entry side, making boarding much easier for people with strollers or wheelchairs – a milestone in accessibility for public transport. That same year, the popular “Leisure Express” was launched: on lines to excursion destinations, a large bike trailer is attached to the buses, so passengers can continue cycling directly or have an easier ride home. Popular destinations include the wine town of Hochheim (line 48) and the Frauenstein “Herrnberg” via line 24.
Over the years, the buses have evolved in line with passenger needs and changing mobility demands. Today’s electric buses are part of this ongoing development, always keeping an eye on the future with environmental protection and sustainability as key factors.
Innovation with Tradition: 150 Years of Public Transport and the Future of Mobility
150 years of reliable, innovative, and sustainable public transport in Wiesbaden: Since its founding, the Wiesbaden transport services have consistently met the challenges of their time, playing a central role in the city’s mobility. As early as 1875, Wiesbaden was a pioneer in mobility with the 11th tramway in the German Empire. Today, ESWE stays true to its tradition of innovation: In the 21st century, with a fleet of 120 battery-electric buses, it not only relies on cutting-edge technology but also takes responsibility for a green, environmentally conscious future. With this forward-looking initiative, ESWE Verkehr ranks among the leaders in electromobility in Germany.
As a key player in Wiesbaden’s transport infrastructure, ESWE aims to create a livable future for the city. The focus is on making public transport even more eco-friendly and efficient—centered on modern, emission-free technologies. This includes not only expanding an advanced fleet of electric buses but also ensuring a passenger-oriented timetable and a comprehensive route network in the long term. In close cooperation with the city of Wiesbaden, ESWE and its employees bring mobility to the streets that protects the environment, enhances the quality of life for citizens, and prepares the city for the future. The timetable for departure into the day after tomorrow is already set at ESWE.
Bus O 405 No. 19, Line 16, 1980s.
Bus O 405 No. 53, Line 25.
Bus O 405 No. 61, Line 45.
Bus O 405 No. 1, Line 8.
Circa 1990, Bus O 405 No. 7, Line 7.
ESWE as an Employer
Public transport in Wiesbaden is made by people, for people. It not only brings commuters and tourists comfortably to their destinations. ESWE employees have always worked to keep Wiesbaden moving — first with horse-drawn trams, later with electric streetcars. Today, modern battery-electric buses transport the people. Throughout its history, ESWE has been a social and attractive employer:
When founded in 1929, the Municipal Transport Company took over the SEG tram network — inheriting not just vehicles but also employees. Later, during the joint operation of Mainz and Wiesbaden’s transport services, staff were also transferred or temporarily assigned to Mainz as knowledgeable drivers, conductors, and mechanics to ensure smooth operations thanks to ESWE’s skilled workforce. This continued in the 1960s when many new employees joined as “guest workers,” enriching both the company and the city. From the early 1970s onward, women were finally allowed behind the wheel of buses.
Today, ESWE is a modern employer and a secure training company that focuses on people and actively supports the development of its workforce. Employee satisfaction is essential for ESWE, which is why well-equipped workshops, secure jobs, professional internal processes, and agile project management are indispensable. Despite all this, the focus remains on people — and it shows: today, around 1,100 employees from over 47 nations work at ESWE.
You don’t just want to reminisce — you want to make memories at ESWE yourself? Here you’ll find more information about a career at ESWE Verkehr!
A new public transport plan for Wiesbaden – that’s been the goal of the city and ESWE since 2021. The objectives are clear and ambitious: to create an attractive, clearly structured, and accessible public transport system that offers an environmentally and climate-friendly alternative to private car use. To achieve this, the planning process actively involves the public and various stakeholder groups.
The result so far: a complete redesign of the network with new bus formats and functions. Key features include a unified timetable structure, fully accessible stops, alternative drive systems, and redesigned connections that minimize transfers and detours. The plan also introduces on-demand services for nighttime and less busy routes.
The goal is to launch the new network by 2030, with a “core network” expected to go live in summer 2027. Using existing vehicles and staff, this phase will already offer more direct connections, shorter travel times, new stops, and extended weekday operating hours from 4:30 a.m. to midnight — a strong signal for the attractiveness of public transport. From 2030 onward, additional elements of the long-term concept will be implemented. This will require more vehicles, more staff, and above all, secure funding to ensure a true mobility guarantee — covering the entire city, around the clock.
Political Information System Wiesbaden, 2025.
With the target network set to launch in 2030, public transport in Wiesbaden will become a true competitor to private car use: new routes, a unified timetable, direct connections, improved service to outlying districts and the surrounding region, barrier-free stops and vehicles, and alternative drive systems — all focused on meeting the needs and expectations of passengers.
