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Add a comment?		Saarbrücken This page gives an overview of the Saarbrucken two-system tramway-network. It covers a description of the system, its succes, further plans and rolling stock. .

	The Saarbrücken system The first Saarbrucken two-system tramway line opened in 1997. Is was an all-new tramway network, the old electrical tram being abandoned in 1965. The Saar region is an old industrial region with a rather dense railway network. Two-system operation therfore was a logical choice, making it possible to connect the towns and villages in the region with the regional capital Saarbrucken (350000 h.). The main tramway line is 19 kilometers long and runs from Cottbuser Platz in the western suburbs of Saarbrucken via Brebach just east of the town to the French border town of Sarreguemines in the southeast. From Cottbuser Platz to Romerkastell the line is a tramway line, running the streets of Saarbrucken, mostly on free track. Between Romerkastell and Brebach is the system exchange. The trams run under 15kv DB catenary to Sarreguemines. Just east of Cottbuser Platz there is another system exchange, connecting the tram tracks to the railway line to Furstenhausen in the west. This section is only used for extra trams to the Messe (the exhibition area) during exhibitions.
A Saarbrucken tramcar in front of the main railway station			Mixed success Initially the service met with mixed success, one of the reasons being the too short term of testing the system. The design of the system offers little flexibility when there are accidents or other disturbances. At Brebach and Kieselhumes the possibilities of interchanges with other means of transport are not well organized. Stations of the railway line to Sarreguemins do still look rather derelict, reconstruction plans having been delayed time and again. The tramcars are also noisy, which has led to a reduction of speed in the streets of Saarbrucken. Nevertheless the number of passengers on the new tramway line has exceeded expectations. In 1998 8 million passengers used the tram, in 1999 the number went up with 12% to 9 million. The line carries more than 25000 passengers daily. The tram is also cost-effective: with the same amout of government funding the tram delivers three times as much trainkilometers than the former DB-trains on the same section.
	Further plans There are many plans for extension of this system into the whole Saar region. Executions of those plans is progressing very slowly, if at all. Under construction is a northwestern extension to Rastpfuhl (tram operation), which will open in 2000. After a long an hot debate the further extension to Riegelsberg has now been decided. Opening was planned for 2001. From Riegelsberg an extension is planned along a railway line to Lebach, about 23 kilometers north of Saarbrucken. Realisation of other plans, for example an extension to Dillingen, is unclear, one of the obstacles being a contract guaranteeing the DB all passenger traffic on the railway lines in the region until 2008.					The system interchange east of Cottbuser Platz.
A tramcar approaching the system interchange at Romerkastell.			Rolling stock The Saarbrucken tramcars have attracted much attention all over Europe. It is fully capable of running on railway tracks, with a speed up to 100km/h. Its constructional strength and signal system (indusi) match railway regulations. For almost half of the length the car has a low floor, making easy access from tramway and railway platforms possible. Rolling stock data: Length: 37,87 m Width: 2,65 m Number of passengers: 96 seats, 243 total Coupling possible up to two units Systems: 750 v DC, 15 kv AC Maximum speed: 100 km/h Made by: Bombardier Eurorail Cost per unit: about 4,4 million DM low floor (40 cm) in about half of the tramcar Comments: Quick and easy access due to low floor, driving comfort is good, quick acceleration and deceleration, noisy at high speed. Two coupled tramcars running on the DB tracks near Romerkastell.

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last updated: 11-06-00