Yesterday, today and tomorrow

Since 1924, S-Bahn Berlin has been the backbone of mobility in Berlin. Up until the mid 1940s, the Berlin S-Bahn network had become one of the biggest urban rapid rail transport systems in Europe. The construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, however, abruptly ripped the unified and closed rapid rail system apart.

During the years when Berlin was a divided city, the S-Bahn network developed differently in the two sectors of the city. In the Eastern half of the city, the S-Bahn remained the most important mode of transportation and continued to grow as new suburbs were developed. In 1962, the S-Bahn was expanded to serve the Schönefeld airport. Further expansion took place in 1976 to 1982 (line to Marzahn and Ahrensfelde) and 1984 to 1985 (line to Wartenberg) that linked the newly created residential areas on the eastern edge of Berlin.

Meanwhile, in the western half of the city, the importance of the S-Bahn as a means of transportation declined steadily. After operational authority for the entire S-Bahn network was transferred to the Reichsbahn (national railway DR) of the Deutsche Demokratische Republik (German Democratic Republic, GDR) the S-Bahn become increasingly involved in the East-West conflict and was frequently boycotted in the Western half of Berlin. Starting in the 1970s, the declining number of passengers led to partial closure of operations and reduced service. At the same time, necessary investments were not made in the network’s infrastructure. In 1980, the DR cut the number of lines from ten to three.

Complete renewal

The gaps in the Berlin S-Bahn network could only be closed following the fall of the Wall in 1989 – a major task for S-Bahn Berlin, because most of the lines in the western half of the city had to be rebuilt. The lines in the eastern half required massive upgrading and the gaps in the network due to the division of the city had to be closed. Looking back it is clear to see that the so-called “Grunderneuerung” or complete renewal of the Berlin S-Bahn network was – and is – a complete success for everyone involved. Passengers experienced the noticeable improvements in the network as if they were being fast-forwarded in a film. In recent years, no new schedule has been published without an announcement that a new stretch of track has been reopened for service or that construction work – reflecting the latest standards – had been completed at stations or along the network. Since 1992, the route network has been expanded from 245km to today’s total of 332km. And during the same period the number of stations rose from 122 to currently 165 access points.

Closing the circle

The biggest milestone within the complete renewal project was, however, achieved in 2002 with the reopening of the S-Bahn Ring, or Circle, around the city. This marked the realisation of the original ideal urban transport concept with its core element of a closed circle and a transport grid within the circle. The re-opening of the circle also led to a significant increase in the level of interlocking services with the rest of Berlin’s public transportation system. Since 2006, complete circuits of the Berlin Circle – just like the scheduled service that ran between 1944 until the Wall was built in 1961 – were once again possible. Today it’s possible to ride around the entire city of Berlin in about 60 minutes. The success of the restored circle concept is impressively reflected by the sharp increase in passenger demand noted immediately after the loop was completed. And it’s a trend that’s continued through to today.

The positive impact of the restoral of the circle on passenger demand is not solely limited to the circle itself; it has had a favorable effect on the remaining network: between 2001 and 2003 demand that was directly attributable to the completion of the circle rose by about 17%.

Fleet modernisation

Parallel to the renewal of the S-Bahn network, the fleet of vehicles operated by S-Bahn Berlin was radically rejuvenated. Within just a few years the old series 477 City Rail Trains were replaced with modern series 481 vehicles.

The average age of our vehicle fleet declined from 43 to barely 9 years. Today the impression passengers get of the Berlin S-Bahn is driven by approximately 500 new series 481 quarter-length trains. The times when comfort was defined by wooden benches are history. Over the last 10 years these upgrades have cost S-Bahn Berlin approximately €1.2 billion.

S-Bahn Berlin – today

Today, barely 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, almost all of the gaps in the Berlin S-Bahn network due to the division of Berlin have been closed. S-Bahn Berlin currently transports 1.3 million passengers every day and close to 380 million passengers annually. As a result, S-Bahn Berlin is ranked number three among the European urban rapid rail systems based on the number of passengers carried. Everyday, an average of over 2,800 trains run on 332km of track – and at three to five minute intervals along the main lines. Furthermore, passengers have a total of 165 stations to choose from to travel on 15 different lines. And despite tighter intervals and a growing range of mobility offers, S-Bahn Berlin has maintained consistently high levels of punctuality for years: approximately 96% of all S-Bahn trains run exactly as scheduled.

Thinking about tomorrow today – strategies for the future

Berlin, one of Europe’s most exciting major cities, is constantly changing and S-Bahn Berlin has to keep up with the changes. In the future, the Berlin S-Bahn will have to recognise and adjust as best as possible as it reacts to the effects of global and local mega-trends on the transport market. For example, S-Bahn Berlin will have to adjust to the demographic changes in urban populations like changing age structures (“Cohort shifts”). Another key issue is the achievement of ambitious environmental and climate protection goals. The prerequisites are good because S-Bahn Berlin is already one of the most environmentally friendly transportation modes that exist. In times when debates on dust particles and climate change are taking place, S-Bahn Berlin offers forward-looking mobility that eases the burden on our environment and streets.

S-Bahn Berlin is decisively continuing on its course of modernisation so that it will remain successful in the future. The goal and the demands are the same: to remain a guarantee for ensuring Berlin’s future. For this reason, the main mission is to decisively realise the growth and revenue potential in order to remain the backbone of Berlin’s mobility.

The tourism trend

The tourism boom is certainly one of most positive trends that Berlin has experienced. Berlin is the number one tourist attraction in Germany as the Capital attracts visitors from around the world. Between 1996 and 2006, the number of paid overnight accommodations rose from 7.4 million to 15.8 million per year, for an average annual growth rate of 8%. By 2010, the German Tourism Association is predicting that annual growth with expand at a similar rate. Day-trippers make up a large number of overnight guests in Berlin and in 2006 they accounted for 76 million. The Berlin S-Bahn is well prepared to handle the vast number of Berlin visitors. Local schedule information in the stations, on the Internet and on the menus at all ticket machines are presented in numerous languages. In addition, the S-Bahn Berlin offers visitors a variety of additional offers like the WelcomeCard or the CityTourCard. This offer allows visitors to ride the S-Bahn for 48 or 72 hours – through all of Berlin and to the World Cultural Site of Potsdam – for a flat fee. Furthermore, these special offers allow users to visit more than 100 tourist and cultural attractions for half price. These attractive tariff offers, as well as the Berlin S–Bahn’s transportation offers make a major contribution towards enhancing Berlin’s appeal as a tourist attraction.

The digitalisation trend – “Touch & Travel” for easy mobility

On the other hand, the mega-trend of digitalisation is completely independent of target groups and locations. The mobile phone has already become a permanent companion for over 80% of the population and the new technology is continuing to offer telephone owners new functions that go far beyond simple telephone service. This possibility can also unlock new sales opportunities for S-Bahn Berlin. Since November 2007, Deutsche Bahn AG has been testing a surprisingly simple eTicketing procedure called “Touch & Travel” in a nationwide pilot project that also includes S-Bahn Berlin.

“Touch & Travel” allows a passenger to use their mobile phone to obtain an electronic ticket when passing a Touch Point. This is made possible by “Near Field Communication” (NFC) technology that lets passengers check in for a train trip just by holding their NFC-interface equipped mobile phones close to a blue Touch Point located in the originating station for just a few seconds. A background system captures the data and the conductor can register the ticket during the journey. Information about the train connection being used is automatically forwarded to the system. At the end of the journey the passenger checks out at a Touch Point located at the destination station. The technology market is united in their view that the NFC technology that is being used today will be tomorrow’s technology.

Experts expect that market penetration of NFC-capable phones will be between 40% to 50% in 2010 – with a rising tendency.

The challenge of Berlin’s new unified airport: Berlin-Brandenburg International

The rail link to Berlin’s new major airport, Berlin-Brandenburg International (BBI), at Schönefeld is a further future-setting milestone for S-Bahn Berlin and will begin operations at the end of 2011. The new airport will be located on the site of the current Berlin Schönefeld Airport and will consolidate all of Berlin’s air traffic, which was previously handled by three separate airports, into one location where 22 million passengers are expected to arrive and depart. The closing of the Berlin-Tegel and Berlin-Tempelhof airports will lead to shifts in passenger travel and the Berlin S-Bahn anticipates that people traveling to and from the airport via S-Bahn will generate a significant increase in the number of total passengers carried.

In order to ensure smooth running operations from the moment BBI opens, the S-Bahn is already currently engaged in construction measures to build the necessary infrastructure. It is preparing a sustainable offer and operational concept to meet anticipated demand in order to ensure the fastest possible connections between the new airport and the centre of Berlin.

In order to be best prepared for all potential situations, the S-Bahn Berlin is currently exploring scenarios wherein the S-Bahn is the only rail connection between BBI Airport and the center of Berlin. This kind of situation could occur, for example, if the expansion of the “Dresdner” or “Anhalter Bahn” railway infrastructures are not completed before the opening of the BBI Airport. In addition to the new airport’s S-Bahn link, another rail-based transportation connection is planned from the West via the “Dresdner Bahn,” which is a dual-track, electrically powered main railway that operates in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony, and which was originally built and operated by the Berlin-Dresdener Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft. It runs from Berlin through the Niederlausitz region via Elsterwerda to Dresden. The prerequisite for establishing a rail connection via the “Dresdner Bahn” is, however, a direct connection between the outer loop and the Südkreuz train station. It is, however, anticipated that the completion of this connection will be delayed due to pending lawsuits contesting construction rights. Currently it is uncertain if, and how, the connection to the national rail network, in addition to the S-Bahn connection, will take place once BBI Airport begins operation.

In addition to the operation challenges, S-Bahn Berlin has set itself the goal of providing optimal service to its passengers on the line between BBI Airport and the Berlin city center. In addition to train departure announcements and signage in numerous languages, the trains on the line will be staffed by conductors who can assist visitors to Berlin to find their way in the Berlin public transport network. In addition, the most modern series vehicles will be used on the line to ensure that passengers enjoy appropriate comfort with sufficient seating capacity.

Conclusion

The Berlin S-Bahn is moving the capital – now and in the future. It is the driving pulse of the city and ensures mobility every day – for Berlin and Berliners.