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Schönbuchbahn: New electric trains cause chaos in autumn traffic!
New electric trains on the Schönbuchbahn are causing problems and rail replacement services between Böblingen and Dettenhausen.
Schönbuchbahn: New electric trains cause chaos in autumn traffic!
The Schönbuchbahn is once again at the center of problems relating to the punctuality and reliability of rail transport between Böblingen and Dettenhausen (Tübingen district). Loud SWR Rail traffic has been suspended since Monday, forcing passengers to switch to buses as a replacement service.
These difficulties are not new, but simply mark another failure in a series of delays with the new electric trains, which went into service at the end of July this year after a long planning and construction period spanning 15 years. The trains were originally scheduled to be approved for 2021, but delays and a legal dispute led to total damages of around seven million euros. There were also problems in September when the tracks between Dettenhausen and Holzgerlingen collapsed, which led to further failures of the “Nexio” type railcars after repair work.
Technical problems and challenges
The current problems with the new electric trains are described as frustrating by Böblinger's district administrator Roland Bernhard. He expressed his anger and disappointment at the repeated disruptions in the district council's environment and transport committee. Those responsible blame, among other things, the autumnal weather conditions for the difficulties, as these can lead to a damp or even slippery rail surface. The railcar's safety system is apparently set too sensitively, which results in undesirable emergency braking, reports SZBZ.
Research into the causes has already begun with the Spanish manufacturer CAF and its suppliers. It currently remains unclear when rail services can resume, which is only increasing passenger dissatisfaction.
Investments and infrastructure
The total of twelve new trains cost around 67 million euros; Of this, 12 million euros come from the state of Baden-Württemberg. The remaining amount was borne by the Schönbuchbahn special purpose association, which was founded by the districts of Böblingen and Tübingen. The Württembergische Eisenbahn-Gesellschaft (WEG), which has been active in the Stuttgart region since 1899, is the operator of the Schönbuchbahn and transports around 4.4 million passengers annually. WEG is a subsidiary of Transdev and operates a total of four railways in the Stuttgart area.
The challenges facing the Schönbuchbahn reflect the critical requirements for the railway infrastructure that are defined in the General Railway Act. These stipulate that operators are responsible for safe operations, infrastructure maintenance and the implementation of fire protection and technical assistance, as stated on the website EBA explained.
It remains to be seen whether Böblingen's citizens and commuters will see an improvement in the situation in the coming months. Passengers' patience could be tested if the problems are not resolved soon.