Interruptions for Train Lines RB48, MRB26 and RE5 Crowding at Bonn Central Station "is life-threatening"
Bonn · An expert on the “Loveparade” disaster in Duisburg has strong criticism for the conditions at the Bonn Central Train Station. Railroad tracks and trains have been overcrowded for days.
Since the beginning of the construction work on the overhead lines between Sechtem and Brühl at the beginning of the week, the situation at the Bonn main station has hardly improved. Because of the long-term renovation on Platform 1, passengers have to push themselves onto the area between Platforms 2 and 3. Commuter Barbara Krausz can think of only one thing, “This is life-threatening.”
The computer scientist knows what she is talking about. In her doctoral thesis, the Bonn resident, who commutes daily to Cologne for work, has addressed the “Love Parade” disaster in Duisburg. In July of 2010, 21 people died of suffocation and hundreds more were injured due to overcrowding in an underpass. She has approached the question: To what extent can a video recording foresee a mass panic? In the current commuter traffic during peak hours of the morning at the Bonn station, she says one could not rule out such a mass panic.
Additional railway staff point out that passengers need to keep their distance from the tracks, “but it is not possible with this many people.” As well, there are some areas with uneven pavement, which could lead to some people tripping. Also at the Mehlem and Bad Godesberg train stations, people are lumping together.
Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) had reacted by spacing the trains. Commuters traveling towards Cologne are now entering from the northern platform but it is extremely narrow there. A sign reads „Verengter Bahnsteigbereich. Hier kein Aufenthalt“, which means narrow platform, do not stand here.
There is also criticism from Krausz and fellow commuters about false announcements, which leads to people having to change positions. When it comes to planned interruptions in train service, German Rail has set up a bus service. Two buses are permanently shuttling passengers between Bonn Central Train Station and Brühl. But many do not see the situation as having improved.
Until May 22, the trains will run only once an hour. A Düsseldorf spokesperson for Germany Railway said this limited period of time brings an “additional burden.” It was hoped that the extra buses would bring some relief. Some long distance trains are being released for commuter use and these are made known through announcements. German Rail has the App DB Navigator to keep people informed of most recent timetable information.
Responding to the potential dangers on the platforms, the spokesperson said supervisory authorities had visited the area in recent weeks. There have been no accidents so far. Asked about Platform 1, where it appeared that little work was being done at the moment, the spokesperson said that the canal systems had now been completed.
(Orig. text: Philipp Königs)
