Berlin S-Bahn in shambles AGAIN ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Berlin S-Bahn in shambles AGAIN

Replies: 9 - Last Post: 24-Sep-2009 06:44 Last Post By: billp

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Posted
09-Sep-2009 18:11
by: billp

Posts: 3,249
Registered: 25/03/02

Berlin S-Bahn in shambles AGAIN

Rail operator Deutsche Bahn has just recalled 75 percent of its S-Bahn commuter trains in Berlin for yet another problem: testing of braking systems. That means once again shut down lines and reduced service on the lines still running.

The main artery Alexanderplatz - Friedrichstrasse - Hauptbahnhof - Bahnhof Zoo - Westkreuz - Spandau is now out of service.

Also the line from Westkreuz to Nikolassee that many people use to get to Potsdam is shut down.

On the remaining lines, there may be lengthy waits and overfilled trains.

This situation is expected to continue well into the winter months.

Posted
09-Sep-2009 23:10
by: crispy

Posts: 77
Registered: 05/04/01

1

I love Berlin, it's one of my favourite cities, so sorry to hear about your problems.

But I'm afraid I have to admit the I like the idea that the technologically efficient Germans appear to have screwed up more than the shower that run London's transport system!

Edited by: crispy

Where have all my posts gone?!

Posted
09-Sep-2009 23:50
by: billp

Posts: 3,249
Registered: 25/03/02

2

Rumours are rife that the DB shorted maintenance budgets in order to maximize profits for their impending initial public offering. They're now being compared to Trackrail.

Posted
10-Sep-2009 02:11
by: superlufti2000

Posts: 539
Registered: 14/12/01

3

what do you want to tell us with your message, billp?

we know this from the newspaper already - are you a
reporter or something?

'super

Posted
10-Sep-2009 04:20
by: mattoni

Posts: 2,032
Registered: 29/04/05

4

3 - perhaps not every visitor to Berlin has access to German newspapers, so this might be helpful to someone.

Posted
10-Sep-2009 05:29
by: billp

Posts: 3,249
Registered: 25/03/02

5

According to the Berlin Transit Corporation (BVG) website, here are the S-Bahn lines that ARE operating:

S1 Potsdam Central Station (Hbf) to Oranienburg
S2 Bernau to Blankenfelde
S25 Teltow Town Yorckstraße as well as Schönholz to Hennigsdorf
S3 - Erkner to Ostbahnhof
S41 Ring (clockwise)
S42 Ring (counter-clockwise)
S46 Königs Wusterhausen to Hermannstrasse
S5 Strausberg to Alexanderplatz (busses to cover Strausberg to Strausberg North)
S7 Ahrensfelde to Alexanderplatz
S8 Hohen Neuendorf to Blankenburg
S9 Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld (airport) to Treptower Park

S45, S47, S75 and S85 are NOT running.

The BVG is beefing up its U-Bahn (subway/underground) lines and putting on extra buses to cover some of the gaps in service. Some Deutsche Bahn regional trains ply the Stadtbahn, the main trestle through the city centre ie Alexanderplatz to Zoo station, but service is not as frequent as with the S-Bahn. Normal Berlin transit tickets are also valid on the DB trains.

Posted
10-Sep-2009 16:46
by: superlufti2000

Posts: 539
Registered: 14/12/01

6

#4 - i see! i was just wondering about the post, it seemed
to be 'an information' more than a question.

there is at http://www.bvg.de/ a so called 'notfallfahrplan'
('suburban train contingency schedule') which you can
download as a .PDF

'super

Posted
12-Sep-2009 22:55
by: billp

Posts: 3,249
Registered: 25/03/02

7

The latest news, in Focus news magazine, quoting "insiders," is that the Berlin S-Bahn will not be getting back to fully normal operation until March 2010.

They have to change some 4800 brake cylinders in 300 S-Bahn trains.

I think they might begin to restore service on the main "Stadtbahn" artery as soon as they have sufficient rolling stock. But for the moment, it seems they're concentrating on maintaining some service in the more outlying areas where there aren't as many alternative transportation links.

I took a train on the Ring yesterday, counter-clockwise from Schönhauser Allee to Heideberger Platz in Wilmersdorf. Usually these trains come every few minutes, but I had to wait almost 20 minutes. And when the train came it was packed. But at least there WAS a train.

Posted
13-Sep-2009 17:20
by: superlufti2000

Posts: 539
Registered: 14/12/01

8

billp, thanks so much for this valuable information!

we have a public transportation system here in
hamburg too - but which is working fine...

'super

Posted
24-Sep-2009 06:44
by: billp

Posts: 3,249
Registered: 25/03/02

9

Good news: S-Bahn trains from lines S3, S5 and S7 are to go back into operation as of Monday, Sept. 28 on the "Stadtbahn," the main S-Bahn trestle through the city centre, especially between Alexanderplatz and Bahnhof Zoo. Some lines will be running every 10 minutes.

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