Experiences in Germany: Hamburg, Oberhausen, Essen
The Metrobus concept in Hamburg
Hamburg city area represents around 700 000 inhabitants, with a great PT network, very attractive. The Bus systems are split into 3 different functions, 3 different levels of service as follows:
- MetroBus : BHLS connections that cover a wide range of routes revealing strong customer demand
- City Bus that complements the MetroBus-line network or serves as connection or feeder-bus lines to regional express trains
- Express Bus that provides direct connections to the city center with a special comfort based on an additional Express bus surcharge - first class
The key-elements of this Metrobus concept are :
- Cycle punctuality,
- Transparency (that means a good identification for the passengers, where the lines are, what service is given, dynamic information,...),
- Tangential connections.
Below the presentation of this very good network approach, and one line as well of the metrobus network : the line 5, the most capacitive with 60 000 trips per day. The infrastructure design shows only some weaknesses (narrow station, no priority at traffic lights,…) but a very efficient implementation in the middle of street.
- Presentation line 5 Metrobus
- By Hamburger Hochbahn AG - Oct 2009
the “ÖPNV-Trasse” in Oberhausen
Oberhausen is a small urban area, with 214.623 Inhabitants and a rather high density by 2800 inhabitants/ km2. It was an industrial city due to the coal mines and got a rapid growth end of the 19ties. The first tram line was built in 1896. The 80ties were the start point to improve the whole PT network (short stopping distance, long travel time, low punctuality because of high volume of vehicular traffic, suffering passengers in the 80th, cap losings) in a coherent way with the project of the „Neuen Mitte“ with amusement promenade, leisure park, mulitplexx-cinema and aquarium with hotel, office etc). The ÖPNV-Trasse is one of the express bus lines, and start up in 1996. It has an original and very efficient common dedicated way with the tram line, connected to this „Neuen Mitte“ with these characteristics:
- Length: 6,835 km
- Height/length of platform: 24 cm/60 m
- Width of the traffic lane (both directions): 7,50 m
- Max. speed: 80 km/h
- 8 stops
- Fixed time service: 58 vehicles per hour in the cross-section
- Construction cost: 134 Mio. €
All the express lines are built within a rather complete “system” approach, integrating, dynamic information to passengers, wide readable and comfortable stops, high frequency.
- Presentation of the OPNV-trasse
- Oberhausen - by the operator - Oct 2009
The O-bahn in Essen
Essen is a big urban area by more than 500 000 inhabitants, a great increase due to industrial activities.
In the 70ties has been decided a research of the O-bahn system with an experiment, in operating condition, on a section by 1,2 km located in the suburban area of Essen.
Manufacturer partners were Mercedes and Man. The objective was to add at common bus (standard and articulated) a guiding system between kerbs, that can be compatible with the meter gauge tram tracks existing in Essen (narrow tram by 2,20m)
The first trial was run in 1980, and since good results could be achieved in terms of availability efficiency and safety, two lines has been developed, one with trolleybuses with a common section with a tramway line.
As conclusion words can be highlighted:
- this kerb guidance is well protected against other modes like bicycle or taxi (easy enforcement)
- The accessibility is perfect
- this kerb guidance could be adapted with new buses since their width have been increased by 2,55m
- this kerb guidance is not very convenient, making a barrier for crossing demand. Interruptions of guidance are necessary, so that this system cannot be seen with the same regard or efficiency along the whole route.
- the operating cost stays the same than for common buses.
- Very few failures are observed; in case of failure, an other bus can pull or push it until the next exit.
- In only few places, this system has been spread up, Australia, UK (in Cambridge a new project will start soon).
