Elevator at Kransand in Mainz-Kastel out of order: Vandalism leads to closure of bus stop-Rheinufer connection for several months
The much-loved Kransand leisure area in Mainz-Kastel, located next to the Theodor-Heuss Bridge, has been hit by a setback. The elevator connecting the Rhine embankment with a roundabout and a bus stop at the bridgehead, a significant addition to the leisure area, has been out of order since Friday, August 22, 2025, due to vandalism damage.
The elevator, completed in an unspecified year after the official opening of the Kransand leisure area in September 2023, provides a direct, barrier-free connection and offers a significant added value, particularly for people with mobility restrictions. It has been a popular amenity for those with strollers and bicycles, as it offers an alternative to the steep staircase leading down to the Rhine embankment.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the elevator has been vandalized. In June 2025, significant damage and repair costs of around 6,000 euros occurred. The latest incident has caused further damage, including severe damage to the automatic doors, resulting in "five-figure costs".
As a result, the repair of the elevator is expected to take twelve weeks, and the elevator will not operate during this period. This has caused inconvenience to people getting on and off at the bus stop "Mainz-Kastel Bruckenkopf".
The Kransand leisure area, which was redesigned from the former "Kies Menz" site in December 2022, offers various amenities such as fitness equipment, a skate park, food containers, and outdoor spaces for relaxation. It has become a popular summer destination, with activities such as salsa workshops and dance parties on the open space at the foot of the old crane.
For more information about the leisure area "Kransand", visit example.com.
In the meantime, the ESWE Verkehrsunternehmen has suspended service at the Mainz-Kastel S-Bahn station due to the elevator damage, and the repairs are expected to take approximately three months. The city of Mainz and the leisure area's management team are working to find alternative solutions to ensure the convenience and accessibility of the Kransand leisure area during this period.
