Rails works between Sechtem and Brühl Deutsche Bahn did not work 24 hours a day
Bonn · After the commuter chaos at Bonn main train station, the Rail and Transport Union has criticised Deutsche Bahn and is demanding better coordination of construction projects before further planned works to the same route in early 2018.
Deutsche Bahn is facing criticism from the Rail and Transport Union (EVG) that it did not continuously operate three shifts on the works between Sechtem and Brühl in order to avoid paying high nighttime surcharges. The EVG president, Rainer Bohnet, said: “The communications chaos, the life-threatening situation for passengers at Bonn main station and the construction plans for the renewal of the overhead lines between Sechtem and Brühl defied description.”
Above all, he was indignant about the coordination of the works, which led to two weeks of severe disruption for commuters until 22 May. “Normally work is carried out around the clock to minimize interruptions to services on railway sites. Apparently this was avoided because otherwise a high nighttime surcharge would have had to be paid.”
A railway spokeswoman from Düsseldorf conceded that: “work was not always carried out 24 hours a day.” She said this was primarily because of: “a recommendation from the bomb disposal service.”
The service was informed in advance of the preparations for the lengthy works to replace the overhead lines on the stretch in the first quarter of 2018. “And they came to the conclusion that because of the proximity to residential areas, it would be safer to work in daylight,” said the railway spokeswoman. Where possible, the construction workers had worked non-stop.
When asked whether work could be carried out 24 hours a day on the several month long repair works scheduled for the coming year, the railway spokeswoman said the exact plans for the construction site and its effects on rail traffic had not yet been fixed. However, Deutsche Bahn would try to ensure works were carried out continuously. “However, it is not always up to us. It also depends on the construction services.”
Referring to the pending works to the overhead lines, Rainer Bohnet criticised the apparently high cost pressures of such works: “These inevitably fall to the passengers and the entire rail system and therefore we are demanding that in future Deutsche Bahn rules out complete blockages of routes or the complete cutting off of large cities, as recently happened in Wuppertal, even if this means construction projects will be more expensive.”
The rail union also has further demands. Bohnet says: “Deutsche Bahn, National Express, TransRegio and the Rhineland local transport (NVR) as well as cities and districts must sit together early enough around one table and work out a passenger-friendly concept that is then communicated comprehensively and early enough.” In Bohnet’s opinion, this should include general permission for commuters to use long distance trains. Deutsche Bahn refused to do this last time for “logistical reasons.” It made announcements giving permission for certain journeys. The EVG also thinks the Line 16 should run more frequently – at 10 minute intervals to Bonn main station - during the works period.
(Original text: Philipp Königs. Translated by Kate Carey)
