"CDU's Berlin Plan: Megabuses as Tram Terminators" or "Megabuses as Tram Eliminators in CDU's Berlin Blueprint"
In the heart of Berlin, the Senate and BVG have been planning the introduction of electric articulated buses on the Spandau bus line M32, with the deployment scheduled for 2025/26. However, the debate surrounding the use of these buses as an alternative to the planned streetcar expansion in Berlin-Spandau has sparked discussions.
One of the key advantages of using articulated buses is the lower capital costs. Unlike streetcars, which require tracks, overhead wires, and dedicated stops, articulated buses require less upfront infrastructure investment. This flexibility also allows for easier adaptation to changing traffic conditions or route changes. Deployment can be quicker as well, as they mostly use existing roadways without major construction.
Operational flexibility is another advantage, as buses can be rerouted or increased in frequency without altering physical infrastructure. Moreover, infrastructure maintenance costs are typically lower due to the absence of rail tracks and electrical systems.
On the downside, articulated buses have a lower passenger capacity compared to streetcars, which can struggle to support future ridership growth. Additionally, buses share road space with other vehicles and can be delayed by traffic, whereas streetcars often have dedicated lanes.
The perceived quality and attractiveness of streetcars may also attract more ridership, as they are often seen as more permanent and reliable transit. Streetcars provide smoother rides due to rails, which can improve passenger experience. Electric streetcars also produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
In the case of Berlin-Spandau, the use of articulated buses could serve as a cost-effective, flexible interim solution or complement to the tram system, especially in areas where rail expansion is challenging or not justified by ridership projections.
The CDU faction in Berlin's House of Representatives is advocating for the use of battery-electric operated large-capacity articulated buses as an alternative to the planned streetcar expansion in Berlin-Spandau. Around 20 such buses were to be procured for the M32 line, and preparations for their deployment require longer bus stop areas and parking spaces at endpoints.
However, it's important to note that the existing plans for articulated buses on the M32 line are not mentioned in the CDU resolution paper. Furthermore, heavily traveled bus routes must be built as concrete roads due to high axle loads, which is more expensive and requires a greater width than tram tracks.
In contrast, the Senate's mobility administration estimates that a more accurate passenger capacity for articulated buses is around 130 passengers. This is significantly lower than the approximately 25-meter-long articulated buses, which can accommodate up to 200 passengers, according to CDU statements.
The debate around articulated buses in Berlin-Spandau is not without precedent. Cities like Hamburg and Aachen have phased out double-articulated buses on heavily used bus lines due to unsatisfactory operational experience.
Ultimately, the decision between articulated buses and streetcar expansion in Berlin-Spandau will depend on a comprehensive analysis of costs, ridership, and environmental impact, as well as the specific needs and characteristics of the area.
The CDU faction in Berlin's House of Representatives advocates for the use of battery-electric articulated buses as an alternative to the planned streetcar expansion in Berlin-Spandau, aiming to address the lower capital costs and operational flexibility that these buses offer in comparison to streetcars. However, concerns about the lower passenger capacity of buses and the potential need for more extensive road constructions on heavily traveled routes persist, resembling the debates observed in cities like Hamburg and Aachen regarding the use of double-articulated buses on busy lines.
