For the second main line, the Free State wants to rebuild platforms at twelve stations in order to achieve barrier-free access.
But: This cannot be implemented perfectly - new barriers are programmed.
Munich - The construction work for the second trunk line can be seen above all in Munich: At Laim, concrete bridges are shooting out of the ground, bored piles are being driven into the ground - at least things are progressing in the west.
But the second trunk line will also result in a lot of construction work outside of Munich.
Twelve train stations will have to be rebuilt in the next few years for a sum of millions, according to the recently published tender.
The reason is the express S-Bahn, which should run after the new tube goes into operation (officially in 2028, probably later).
At least three lines are planned: the S21X from Landshut, the S23X from Augsburg-Oberhausen and the S24X from Buchloe.
The S-Bahn vehicles do not yet exist, they are only being developed. But for the manufacturer there is already the stipulation that the trains should have an entry height of 96 centimeters. Today's S-Bahn trains also have this dimension. However, many regional trains that are on the move today have a lower boarding height: 76 centimeters. Diesel trains, which in turn have a different entry point, also run on non-electrified routes: 55 centimeters. This creates problems when different types of trains stop at the same platform - as is often the case.
For years, the Pro Bahn passenger association has been demanding that manufacturers and the railway, as the operator of the stations, finally commit to a uniform level - so far without success.
"I have given up hope that the issue will be resolved at some point," says Norbert Moy.
There is even a fourth standard height: 38 centimeters at secondary stations such as Huglfing.
From 76 to 96 - the magical 20 centimeters
The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), which is subordinate to the Ministry of Transport, has now set the following for the Free State: Platforms at stations where only regional S-Bahn trains stop will be raised to 96 centimeters. Most of the construction sites - namely six - will be on the Landshut-Freising-Munich route. For example, the train stations in Gündlkofen and Langenbach (Upper Bavaria) have to be rebuilt. In Langenbach was not modernized until 2010, now new conversions are necessary: Both platforms will be raised from 76 to 96 centimeters. Another renovation of the Freising train station, which was only renovated in 2019, is necessary - platform 1 is to be increased from 76 to 96 centimeters, explains BEG spokeswoman Jessica Olbrich.
A similar increase is planned for the route of the S23X: Here, too, individual platforms at the Althegnenberg, Mammendorf and Haspelmoor stations (Fürstenfeldbruck district) will be increased to 96 centimeters. There is no official information on costs and schedule. In the project descriptions for the stations, planning is mostly limited to the period from 2021 to 2023, and construction to the following years. Cost: stately millions.
However, things get complicated when not only express S-Bahn trains stop at the stations, but also trains on other lines.
In this "mixed operation", the measure 76 centimeters should apply.
This is how it is at the Buchloe and Geltendorf train stations.
The S24X line will stop here in the future, but the diesel trains to Füssen / Kempten will continue to do so.
Because trains in the direction of Allgäu in Buchloe and Geltendorf always stop at through track 1, the platforms are only raised from 55 to 76 centimeters on these tracks.
DB Netz knows that this is problematic, but accepts it.
In the tender documents it says literally: “Due to the mixed operation, platform 1 can only be raised to a height of 76 centimeters.
This means that there is a step to overcome when boarding the (express) S-Bahn. "
