Riding the Rails: More Connections, Less Carbon in Baden-Württemberg's Trains
Get ready for a thrilling schedules update, folks! Next Sunday, both long-distance and regional rail services in Baden-Württemberg will see some significant adjustments, according to none other than Green Party Transport Minister Winfried Hermann, who spilled the beans in Stuttgart. Let's break down the key deets.
Phenomenal New Connects
Buckle up, Stuttgart fans! Two sensational additions to the timetable change are on the way, giving you the freedom to explore late-night performances and concerts in Nuremberg, then hop back on the train for your return trip. Get cozy as the midnight express waits for you until 22:38, while the early-bird special departs Stuttgart at 04:23, arriving in Nuremberg by 07:17.
The Seehäsle's Magic Touch
In the Radolfzell – Stockach – Mengen route, the Seehäsle drapes its cloak of transformation, becoming the S 61. DB Regio will take the helm, bringing frequent trains between Stockach and Radolfzell every half hour between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Rhein-Neckar-S-Bahn’s Upgrade
The station of Karlsruhe's Stadtbahnen express trains will retire, making way for the swanky S 3 of Rhein-Neckar-S-Bahn. Say goodbye to the need to transfer in Germersheim and hello to seamless connectivity between Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof, Speyer, and Mannheim!
Spring Eco-Friendly Transform
Green enthusiasm is infectious, as battery-electric trains will replace diesel counterparts on the Biberach (Baden) – Oberharmersbach – Riersbach line in Ortenau beginning in spring 2024. This clime-conscious choice will reduce carbon footprints substantially and amp up the quality of your evening and afternoon train rides!
Brave the Night Buses
Travelers desiring post-8 p.m. swims in Lake Bodensee may rely on individual bus services each hour starting at midnight, ensuring your nighttime leisure pursuits remain flawlessly illuminated.
Unblocked, but With Challenges
New opportunities bring fresh challenges as well – a staff shortage has led to delays in certain services, preventing the RE 73 from making its way between Karlsruhe and Heidelberg until the end of 2023. Moreover, a series of late-night and early-morning gaps will affect the S 1, S 2, S 5, and S 51 services between Heidelberg and Eberbach.
The Green Minister's Trail
Minister Winfried Hermann's track record of vital train services in Baden-Württemberg dates back to 2016, when he first proposed a trial speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour on about 10% of the state's autobahns. However, the recent focus of sources has primarily been on Stuttgart's S-Bahn refurbishment and the status of general regional train services in Germany, including no key changes linked to Minister Hermann's announcements in Baden-Württemberg.
