The Echinger FDP has submitted an application approved by the municipal council for a feasibility study on the barrier-free expansion of the station.
Eching
– For around 20 years there have been repeated attempts by the citizens and local politicians in Eching to persuade the railway to convert the S-Bahn station to make it suitable for the disabled.
Even if complaints about this are often brought to the municipality by the population, the station with the two platforms and the underpass is within the area of responsibility of Deutsche Bahn AG.
Better connections to the northern districts
Now the FDP, on the basis of previous applications from 2016 and 2019, has made another attempt and submitted an application for a feasibility study on the barrier-free expansion of the Echingen train station, which was unanimously approved by the municipal council.
This would automatically result in improved connections to the northern districts.
The corresponding financial resources are to be included in the 2023 budget.
The estimated cost is 30,000 euros.
Although there is already such an expertise from 2002, its revision was rejected in 2018.
In view of its age, this could no longer be used as a basis for planning and for current negotiations with the railways, the councilors agreed.
With a new edition, Mayor Sebastian Thaler hopes, there will be better arguments against the railways to be considered if the funding programs are continued.
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In this context, Thaler recalled that in previous years there had been a failure to apply in good time for inclusion in the Deutsche Bahn action program for the years 2019 to 2021, in which Lohhof and Unterschleißheim, for example, had a chance to modernize their stations.
In discussions, railway representatives had hinted that the chances of realizing a barrier-free Echingen stop would increase if the community got involved in the planning in advance.
However, Thaler described it as irresponsible to embark on such a project worth millions in view of the uncertain chances of its realization.
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Elevators or a ramp on both sides
The feasibility study that has now been commissioned is about barrier-free or ground-level access to the trains, elevators to both platforms (alternatively, a ramp on both sides to an underpass that can also be used by cyclists and wheelchair users) and a roof over both platforms.
