BVB’s extensive modernisation programme

BVB, the Basel Public Transport Company, is the most important carrier in the inner part of the tri-national agglomeration of Basel with 800,000 inhabitants. Under its new management, the long-standing company is undergoing an in-depth process of modernisation. The 65km-long tram network is to be extended by up to 19km of new lines; some of them across the border into Germany and France. Sixty new Flexity trams are expected between 2014 and 2016, replacing the old rolling stock built between 1967 and 1991. By 2025, BVB expects to carry 10% more passengers, a challenging objective given the fact that its current market share in the region is already very high at 50%. The investment linked to BVB’s modernisation amounts to almost one billion Swiss Francs (approximately €800 million).

Public transportation in the tri-national agglomeration of Basel

The city of Basel, situated in the north of Switzerland at the borders with France and Germany, is the centre of a tri-national agglomera tion with more than 800,000 inhabitants, with 500,000 living in Switzerland and 300,000 in Germany or France. On the Swiss side, the largest part of the agglomeration is situated within the two cantons of Basel-Stadt (Basel-City) and Baselland.

While the inter-urban train system (Regio-S-Bahn®) is the most important and most used means of public transportation in the wider agglomeration, it is the tram – supported by the bus network – that is the most popular in the inner part. With a modal split of 37%, public transportation has always been very popular in the Swiss part of the agglomeration. Within the City of Basel, the trams and buses are the most important means of transportation. With only 12% in the traffic with France and 17% with Germany, the modal split is considerably lower in cross-border traffic. Great efforts are being made to develop public transportation across the national boundaries. At the moment, a cross-border tram line to the German town Weil am Rhein is under construction. Another tram line to Saint-Louis in France is being planned. Given the fact, that there are more than 34,000 commuters across the national borders travelling every day from France or Germany to the Canton Basel-Stadt, there will be no lack of passengers on the new lines.

The Basel Public Transport Company (BVB)

BVB was founded in 1895 as Basel Tramway Company (Basler Strassenbahnen). Its first tram line linked the Swiss and German railway stations. The development of the network came to halt on the eve of World War II. With the exception of some minor links, no new lines were constructed after WWII. In the 1960s, one tram line on the central axis across Johanniterbrücke was abandoned to give more space to road traffic. There are currently political discussions concerning the reconstruction of this important link in the urban tram network.

The length of the BVB tram network is currently 65.7km and operated over nine lines. This is going to change with the inauguration of the 2.8km extension of tram line 8 from Kleinhüningen to the German town of Weil am Rhein, planned for December 2013.

The start of the construction of this line in 2008 was the signal to study and plan other extensions of the tram network inside of the city as well as across the border to the French town of Saint-Louis. In this context a study for the further improvement and optimisation of the tram network has been completed under the guidance of the two Cantons. This plan includes the construction of up to 19km of new tram lines until around 2025.

Rolling stock

BVB’s rolling stock consists of 120 tram motorcars and 70 trailers, dating from 1967 to 2001. In addition, there are 18 historic trams which can be hired for nostalgic trips across the town. Furthermore, there are 98 buses – 38 of which are driven by biogas and natural gas.

Vehicle depots

There are three tram depots and one bus garage. The main tram depot ‘Wiesenplatz’, a historic building dating from the second to last turn of century, was completely renewed in 2011. The result is an interesting combination of historic and modern architecture. Famous among people interested in architecture is the roof of the new annex, a twisted structure planted with rare herbs. The new depot offers obstruction-free areas where the trams can turn around within the depot so that no more shunting is necessary which in turn reduces noise and manpower.

BVB on its way to excellency

In June 2011, I became the new Director of BVB, and was quick to make an analysis which I presented to BVB’s Supervisory Board. I came to the conclusion that BVB is an excellent but somewhat old-fashioned transport company. So I introduced a programme of modernisation – previously unseen in the history of BVB and public transportation in Switzerland.

I believe that BVB is on its way to the Champions League, much to the same success as Basel’s famous football team, the FCB.

The modernisation programme provides an impressive series of challenging projects in the field of customer services, information technology, infrastructure modernisation and replacement of rolling stock.

The best tram for Basel – key element of BVB’s modernisation

In 2012, a contract was signed with Bombardier to deliver 60 new Flexity low-floor trams in two versions (35 and 43 metres). The futuristic front design of the new tram has been specially designed by Bombardier for BVB. After the delivery of these new Flexity vehicles, there will only be modern trams of the types Combino and Flexity in regular service. A small part of the older rolling stock is to be kept as a strategic reserve for use for large-scale events, such as football matches.

Not only the exterior, but also the new tram’s interior is being specially designed according to the wishes and needs of BVB’s customers. For example, to understand our customers’ needs concerning seat design and material; we conducted a survey in March 2012. During the survey, one compartment of a 2001-built Combino tram was equipped with modern, body-countered wooden seats and accompanied by interviewers. The survey’s result was clear-cut and unambiguously the same for men and women and for customers living in the urban centre or the communities of the nearer agglomeration. Around two thirds were favouring wooden seats! The argument for that choice was cleanliness in the first instance and secondarily was based on aesthetic arguments.

Big efforts are being made to produce a unique and appealing design concerning all aspects of the passenger cabin, such as the lighting, the ceiling, the ground-floor and the handrails. Passengers should feel comfortable and at home in the new tram.

Accessibility for customers with reduced mobility

With a view to demographic development in western countries, public transportation will have to cope with a growing number of elderly customers with reduced mobility. Furthermore, the Swiss Federal Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against People with Disabilities (1 January 2004), stipulates that people with disabilities should be able to independently use public transportation, and transport companies have got a transitional period until the end of 2023 to abide by the new law.

The key element of the strategy is the stepfree entrance between the vehicle and the infrastructure at tram stops. The maximal gap width (horizontal and vertical) should be no more than 5cm. This will allow people with reduced mobility to opportunity to inde – pendently use public transportation. To implement the new system, almost all the tram stops are to be rebuilt so that their height is 27cm. Furthermore, the passenger platforms must be in a straight line. The Cantonal authorities and BVB strive at adapting a maximal number of tram stops. Considering Basel’s narrow streets and the limited space on public ground, free and independent accessibility cannot be implemented at every tram stop. In such circumstances the accessibility of people dependent on a wheelchair will have to be granted with the help of a folding ramp installed in the vehicle and requiring the driver’s assistance – as is the current method.

The new Flexity will offer two reserved ‘seats’ for wheelchair users in the open space near the second door and will be equipped with modern communication systems and high resolution screens visible from all the seats.

Market presence and image

A new, modern, efficient and elegant BVB is being born. The new logo, the new motto ‘Basel on the Move’ and new trams with a well-designed interior are all going to funda – mentally change the company’s perception among its customers and the public. Frontline staff are looking forward to wearing new uniforms, reflecting modernity, friendliness and competence.

New information stands at stops have been designed which represent regional transportation as well as our corporate image and will be installed at all stopping points in 2013/14. The information stands will help passengers locate the next tram or bus stop from distance, to orient them and to gather information.

In September 2012, the new Traffic Management Centre of BVB became operational and offers new possibilities for providing customer information. Soon, we will be able to inform their customers about connecting services in real-time.

We have not overlooked small projects in our modernisation programme and free wireless internet access will soon be offered on BVB trams and buses and at major stopping points. Also, the recently launched BVB-APP for mobile phones is already proving popular to help customers with information about timetables, irregularities in the traffic and other news.

This challenging programme for the in-depth modernisation of a traditional public transport company needs its time and demands greatest efforts and the hard work of every employee. We are confident that by 2016 we will reach the highest level of quality possible – the aspired ‘Champions League of public transportation’. By the end of 2016, the rollout of the last Flexity will be completed too.

About the author

Jürg Baumgartner was appointed as Director of the Basel Public Transport Company (BVB) in June 2011. He is heading the General Management and is responsible for setting the future strategic direction of the company. He is also a representative of the interests of the transport network in northwestern Switzerland (TNW). Before joining BVB, Jürg gained a lot of experience in the business sector of public transport and aviation. Jürg has also gained several years of experience in the Central Europe tourism sector. Overall, Jürg has 19 years of experience in commercial and business management positions.