- Geburtstagsfeier der S-Bahn im historischen Sonderzug
Die Feierlichkeiten zum 100. Geburtstag der Berliner S-Bahn begannen mit einer Fahrt in einem historischen Zug auf der Strecke zwischen dem heutigen Berliner Nordbahnhof und Bernau. Die 86 und 96 Jahre alten Wagen wurden vom Historischen S-Bahn Verein umfassend modernisiert, um den aktuellen Sicherheitsstandards zu entsprechen und eine Zulassung für das Berliner S-Bahn-Netz zu erhalten.
Viele neugierige Zuschauer erwarteten den Zug in Bernau und nutzten die Gelegenheit, Fotos zu machen. Am 8. August 1924 nahm der erste elektrische Zug auf der historischen Strecke zwischen dem ehemaligen Stettiner Vorortbahnhof und der brandenburgischen Stadt Bernau den Betrieb auf.
Evers bezeichnet es als "Meilenstein für die Entwicklung Berlins"
Dieser Tag gilt als Geburtstag der Hauptstadt-S-Bahn, obwohl es zuvor bereits Versuche mit elektrischen Zügen und sogar einen ersten regelmäßigen Betrieb zu Beginn des Jahrhunderts gegeben hatte. Das Konzept des Viertelzugs und der Fahrplanzug nur später begann.
"This was a milestone for the development of Berlin, the development of our metropolis," said Berlin's Finance Senator Stefan Evers (CDU). The route is also an important element for connecting with neighboring Brandenburg.
The birthday will be celebrated over the next four days with further historic special rides, numerous thematic exhibitions, and a musical framework program. Berlin rapper Romano has contributed a birthday song for the public transport company.
There are many program points at different stations throughout the city. For example, the German Museum of Technology is showing a special exhibition on the beginnings of the S-Bahn, featuring one of the oldest preserved S-Bahn cars from 1924.
The Berlin S-Bahn, with its north-south connection, city, and ring railway, together with the offers of the Berlin Transport Company (BVG), forms the backbone of Berlin's public transport. On average, 1.5 million people use it every workday to travel through Berlin and Brandenburg.
16 lines run over the approximately 340-kilometer-long S-Bahn network, of which 257 kilometers are in Berlin and 83 kilometers in Brandenburg. Entry and exit are possible at 168 S-Bahn stations, of which 132 are in Berlin.
"We would of course wish together that this S-Bahn continues to develop," said André Stahl (Left), mayor of Bernau, at the celebration in Berlin's neighboring city. This includes a stable timetable, more capacities, and a ten-minute interval to Bernau. "That's a wish that many people here in this region have, that we have in Bernau."
The head of the S-Bahn, Peter Buchner, recently noted that there is still much potential in the expansion of infrastructure. "Not all tracks were rebuilt to double tracks after the Second World War and also after reunification," he said in the "Tagesspiegel" on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the S-Bahn. "That causes us problems today." Less was also restored regarding the power supply and parking tracks.
Nevertheless, Buchner sees the company well-positioned today. "We have significantly expanded our offer for our passengers last year." Longer trains run in denser intervals. "We can offer up to 6,700 more seats per hour in peak times." Instead of six, seven trains now run on the city railway within 20 minutes. "Our offer is much better today."
On the actual birthday of the Berlin S-Bahn, which falls on August 8, a historic train ride will take place, recreating the initial journey from 1924 on Sunday. Many residents and visitors looking to celebrate this significant milestone are encouraged to join the festivities on this special Sunday.
