The NVR examiners were underway for the third time to put all stations and stops in the network area under the microscope. They looked among other things at the condition of the seating and whether there was protection against bad weather. It is always important to look at cleanliness and at whether the stations have full disabled access. The condition of the buildings was also assessed for the first time.

The NVR said overall results were slightly worse than last year but there was still a small improvement from the first survey in 2013. Just under 70 per cent of stations and stops had an acceptable appearance.

The Königswinter station was not among these. The testers branded it “unacceptable” because of the unsatisfactory condition of the building and inadequate bad weather protection. Oberkassel, Bad Honnef, Bad Godesberg, Beuel, Niederdollendorf and Rhöndorf stations were “still acceptable”. However, they all ranked significantly lower in comparison to the most recent scores in the ratings table.

Mehlem station scored remarkably well, being ranked “acceptable”. The testers found no grounds for particular criticism of traveller information and comfort, cleanliness, lighting, building condition or access, despite regular complaints from commuters and local politicians. The top rankings in the region were, in ascending order, Bonn Main Station, Sechtem station, the Endenich North stop, the ICE station in Siegburg and, right at the top, as the youngest and least “worn out” station in the region by far, the Cologne/Bonn airport station.

(Orig. text: Rüdiger Franz. Translated by Kate Carey)