Bremen Light Rail System, Germany

Bremen in north-west Germany is one of the two urban subdivisions that make up the country's smallest land (state), Freie Hansestadt Bremen. A historic port 60km along the river Weser from the North Sea, the thriving city of Bremen's economy embraces aerospace technology, vehicle manufacture and foodstuffs.

Bremen is a focal point for the regional rail and enjoys frequent Deutsche Bahn EC and ICE services. Urban transport is the responsibility of Bremer Strassenbahn AG (BSAG) whose operations are included in the Verkehrsverbund Bremen Niedersachsen for ticketing that extends beyond Bremen itself.

THE PROJECT

As a transport and manufacturing centre, Bremen had been a prime bombing target during World War II, the system was split by the destruction of river bridges, only 20% of infrastructure was undamaged and 10% of rolling stock in working order. After a few months total closure, the system was restarted in 1945 and piecemeal restorations were made, albeit with route closures that continued until the 1960s.

In 1990, the governing authority adopted a transport masterplan, which acknowledged the importance of trams in city transport. Eight years later, the first tangible signs of the plan appeared, with the opening of a revamped Line 4, complete with a 3.4km extension to a new northern terminus at Horn-Lehe.

Costing DM64m, this replaced several bus routes, buses instead connecting outlying areas with trams.

A 1.6km extension of Line 6 to the airport was completed in May 1998, notable for the very close proximity of the tram stop to the terminal. The service is scheduled to become 50% busier with the adoption of Bremen as a low cost airline hub in 2006.

Line 6 also now serves the main university, following the opening of a 2.2km extension in October 1998. That year also saw completion of a 700m extension of Line 4, from Arsten West to Arsten Sudwest.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The 1435mm 750v d.c. overhead supply system has tram turns at termini and accordingly the fleet is single ended. There are eight lines, with three related 'Schnell-Linie' (limited stop express routes). The focal point of the system is at the interchange immediately outside Bremen Hauptbahnhof.

Currently, trams share the road with other vehicles over the majority of the system, but plans envisage more dedicated trackbeds, physically separated from other existing rights of way. One of BSAG’s workshops and the headquarters are at Flughafendamm by Line 6 near the airport.

ROLLING STOCK

Bremen was at the forefront of low floor tram technology. A light rail vehicle, type GT6N, was delivered to Bremen in 1989 by constructor Mled to a AN. Later sold for use in Norrköping, this prototype led to a new fleet of 78 four-element articulated vehicles. Numbered in the 3001 series and built 1993–96, the order was placed with AEG (now Adtranz).

BSAG ordered 20 three-element 8NGTW Flexity Classics from Adtranz successor Bombardier, numbered from 3101 and built 2005–2007. With a capacity of 241 (106 seated), the 35.4m trams feature 74% low floor, wider bodies than the earlier low floor vehicles, have air conditioning and lift facilities for disabled passengers. Although older high floor stock has been withdrawn, with some sold on to other users, Wegmann-built GT/GB series trams and trailers dating from the 1970s remain in front line service

SIGNALLING/COMMUNICATIONS

Colour light signals govern all movements, with integration with road signals at the many places where the two systems meet. Especially important for the intensive services in the central city area, stations are equipped with LED displays advising passengers of the next departures and their destination.

THE FUTURE

Bremen has common gauge light and heavy rail systems, which offers the opportunity for interconnection. However, studies into the extent to which this might be possible did not yielded specific plans for tram-train operation.

Latterly thoughts have turned towards the development of an S-Bahn operation as a response to future public transport needs for the area. Withdrawal of remaining older trams in the fleet is subject to the delivery of more Bombardier low floor vehicles.

The long-planned Line 4 extension beyond the present terminus at Borgfeld to Lillienthal in the surrounding land of Niedersachsen is due to open at the end of 2010. The new 5.6km (3.5 mile) route will give a 32 minute direct travel time to Bremen Hauptbahnhof.

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