Delays and cancelled lines due to ice in the morning - Winter chaos grips Rhineland-Palatinate as ice halts buses and schools
Winter weather caused travel disruptions across Rhineland-Palatinate on Monday, January 12, 2026. Ice and snow led to school bus cancellations, delayed public transport, and scattered road incidents. Conditions are expected to improve as temperatures rise later in the week.
The Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Mosel (VRM) faced the worst transport delays, suspending multiple bus lines from 4:00 AM. Routes 130, 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 146, 170, and 171 were halted due to snow, black ice, and freezing rain. General disruptions also affected school buses and other services in Bad Kreuznach, Mainz-Bingen, and Mainz city.
The Trier Region Transport Association reported partial cancellations, particularly in the Trier-Saarburg district. Secondary routes and higher-altitude areas saw the most delays. Bus operators prioritised safety, avoiding uncleared roads and steep inclines.
On the roads, 25 minor incidents occurred in Mainz, with one each in Trier and Kaiserslautern. Two accidents resulted in slight injuries, while ice falling from trucks caused two separate crashes on the B9 near Ludwigshafen.
Schools proceeded with some social studies exams as planned, though no central Abitur tests were scheduled for Monday. The icy conditions are forecast to ease by Tuesday, with temperatures rising to 6–10°C (43–50°F).
Transport services remain cautious, monitoring weather updates and adjusting routes where necessary. The worst of the disruptions appear to be subsiding, with warmer conditions expected to restore normal operations. Schools and road users are advised to stay alert for lingering icy patches.
