S-Bahn in Berlin: Opening of the new line S15 postponed again!

S-Bahn in Berlin: Opening of the new line S15 postponed again!

Berlin, Deutschland - Another time the commissioning of the new S-Bahn-Nord-Süd connection in Berlin has delayed. The current status stipulates that the line, which was originally planned for December 2024, is now not to be put into operation until spring 2026. This reports rbb24

The S-Bahn operation on the first section between Gesundbrunnen and the Berlin main station has been postponed again. The main obstacles are problems with the power supply to the provisional hold at Berlin Central Station. The complete energy supply has to be re -planned and constructed, which entails additional time delays. Deutsche Bahn has also announced that the approval and acceptance process takes an important network systems longer than originally thought, which the completion is delayed further, such as Tagesspiegel reported.

Detailed background information on building delay

The construction project that has been going on for 14 years originally provided for an opening of the route for 2017. Numerous delays due to increased construction costs, the effects of the Corona crisis and multiple resolution have led to an increase in costs. The expenses for the first construction phase are currently around 24.4 million euros, although originally only 14 million euros were planned. The additional costs for the entire project are still unclear at the present time and are borne by both by the federal government and the state of Berlin.

The S-Bahn line, which was first referred to as S15, is part of the future north-south connection "S21 Berlin". It is said to lead from the Nordring via the main train station, Potsdamer Platz and Yorckstraße to the southern cross. From December 2025, the Airport Express (FEX) will no longer drive via Gesundbrunnen, which results in a lack of direct connection from the north of Berlin to the airport, as long as the north-south route is not completed.

The S-Bahn plays a central role in local public transport in Berlin. She promotes around 1.4 million passengers every day and includes a route network of 340 kilometers with 168 train stations. The 16 lines of the S-Bahn connect the city area to the surrounding area. The introduction of new trains since 2021 has been a significant progress in the quality of the S-Bahn services, as on the website S-Bahn Berlin

The continued delays of the north-south connection raise questions, in particular with regard to the future connection and capacity of the S-Bahn network, which is one of the load-bearing pillars of traffic in Berlin.