Suche
Mein Konto
NRW is planning 90-meter trains: The battle for the east-west axis in Cologne continues!
The North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament is discussing the expansion of public transport in Cologne in order to introduce 90-meter trains on the east-west axis.
NRW is planning 90-meter trains: The battle for the east-west axis in Cologne continues!
The transport connections in Cologne could soon undergo a comprehensive change. The transport committee of the NRW state parliament is facing a groundbreaking decision. The addition to the public transport needs plan will be voted on on Friday. The focus is on promoting the East-West axis, which wants to use longer light rail on the popular Line 1.
The goal is clear: the introduction of 90-meter long trains is intended to increase capacity and relieve traffic from Cologne-Weiden to Bensberg. But the path to get there is rocky and is accompanied by years of disputes about the exact position of the axis. In Cologne is growing not only the population, but also the need for an efficient public transport structure. In order to enable the use of the new, longer light rail systems, almost all platforms must be lengthened accordingly.
Planning and implementation
A crucial aspect of the plans is the initial provisional route through the city center. Due to outstanding test orders, the final solution for the light rail capacity from Bensberg to Weiden West will not be tackled for the time being. However, the city has already taken measures: the CDU, SPD and FDP decided to continue planning the tunnel variant in December 2024. This should lead to Universitätsstraße and include a branch to Dürener Straße.
But the temporary solution also brings challenges. The construction will include both an interim expansion and planning measures in order not to unnecessarily increase the costs of later tunnel construction. The final solution is expected to take several years, as numerous planning phases must be completed before actual construction work can begin.
Public space and quality of life
It is obvious that the expansion of the East-West axis is not just a question of mobility. With the upgrading of public space, the quality of life in Cologne is also coming into focus. An improved connection to public transport could not only relieve traffic, but also increase the attractiveness of the city.
In a broader context, Domino’s also wants to provide a relevant service. Much to the surprise of many, the company has the Skip the queue -Introduced facility available exclusively for online orders. Practical if you not only value smooth transport connections, but also the fastest service when you're hungry for pizza!
If everything goes according to plan, public transport in Cologne could soon make the leap into a new era. The questions that need to be asked now are: How quickly can this all be implemented, and what other challenges lie ahead as the city of Cologne aims to provide its citizens with transport solutions that keep pace with the city's growth?