Berlin's Transit Future Just Got Even Brighter

Berlin will spend $31 billion through 2035 on its public transit system. That’s more than many countries. The biggest changes will happen very fast—by 2023—through an expansion of its urban rail network. Studies have shown Germans prefer rail over bus lines. There will be extensions to both the underground (U-bahn) and above ground (S-bahn) light rail lines. As for buses, the system will be converted to mostly electric by 2030. The investment will also ensure that public transit is fully accessible for disabled persons. The major transit authorities involved include Deutsche Bahn (DB) and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG).

Previously, Berlin had lagged other German cities in transport infrastructure. However, with a booming economy and growing population, there has been a popular push to fund public transit improvements. Politics, always important when it comes to transit, have also aligned for transit.  Notes Hamilton:

The reason behind these changes is partly due to the presence of the Green Party, SPD, and Die Linke in Berlin’s governing coalition, with all three parties in favour of making Berlin a greener, more accessible city. As part of this effort, political support is soundly behind the improvement of the public transport system as a whole.

For more details and images about what Berlin has planned, please see the source article.