Every Berliner will recognise the following announcement: „Attention! Between stations X and Y, a rail replacement service with buses is in operation.“ For many, these words are enough to send a shiver down their spine. Complaints about the rail replacement service are amongst the most common complaints we receive. Establishing a rail replacement service is not straightforward, why exactly that is we will explain shortly. First, we should distinguish between the two types of rail replacement service.
Unplanned rail replacement service
Berlin is unpredictable, and so is its public transport. Especially as climate change means more frequent storms and extreme weather events. These in turn lead to flooding, power outages or trees falling on tracks, which in turn disrupts regular rail traffic. Accidents, breakdowns and other unforeseen disruptions are, unfortunately, part of everyday life in Berlin. To avoid spending the night under your desk at the office because the underground is not running, our transport supervisors and line dispatchers work hard to set up emergency rail replacement services in such exceptional situations.
Although the term rail replacement service is the most popular, replacement services can also be arranged for our buses. For example, if a bus route has to be suspended due to accidents or a protest. In such cases, we can organise replacement transport options using taxis and the like. Since these events are often impossible to foresee or plan, this is (you guessed it!) also an unplanned rail replacement service.
Planned rail replacement service
It’s a different case with planned rail replacement services: the BVG is almost 100 years old now, and, like anyone that’s getting up there, it has its ailments. Whether it’s lifts or track renovations, we are constantly upgrading and renewing everything that has become outdated. Our construction department carefully plans building works and, when planning these measures and the rail replacement service, always puts the needs of our customers first wherever possible.
Organising a rail replacement service starts with a thorough analysis of the construction works. The aim is to minimise disruption for passengers, residents and other road users. That’s why building works are often split into several phases, to reduce the impact on operations. Another crucial factor when arranging a rail replacement service at the BVG is coordination with the road traffic authority to set up new routes and stops for the replacement buses. Internal procedures and state regulations must also be considered. Unfortunately, we have no influence over construction work done by third parties, for example the State of Berlin, which can also affect public transport. All this takes time and is often quite complicated.
To ensure the BVG’s rail replacement service runs as smoothly as possible, a range of measures are put in place. For instance, we try, wherever possible, to schedule replacement services during off-peak hours, at weekends or during school or university holidays, when fewer people rely on public transport. We also set up clearly marked replacement stops and keep in regular contact with our passengers to ensure you’re always kept up to date. Finally, digital traffic management is becoming increasingly important, using real-time data to make rapid adjustments to the rail replacement service and thus optimise it.
Why our rail replacement services don’t always work as well as they should
In theory, planned rail replacement services should have as little impact as possible on your daily routine. In practice, however, this doesn’t always work out. Implementing a rail replacement service is extremely challenging. Complex traffic situations in Berlin often lead to congestion, which can slow down or hinder the rail replacement bus service. Temporary bus lanes are set up whenever feasible, but these can be blocked by other road users or delivery vehicles. In addition, spontaneous changes such as diversions or extra construction sites are often hard to predict. Replacement services also rarely follow the exact route of the rails and often have to be diverted through nearby streets, which frequently increases overall travel times.
As we generally have no control over these factors, we ask for your understanding and a little patience if the rail replacement service is not perfectly punctual. Our tip: Use the extra travel time to read a good book or finally listen to your best friend’s 20-minute voice note.
BVG Muva
If your mobility is restricted and you cannot use the BVG rail replacement service, for instance because the bus is too crowded or not accessible, you can request a BVG Muva. The service consists of several fully accessible vans that operate throughout the Berlin transport network. They will transport you to the nearest accessible bus, underground or S-Bahn station within a five-kilometre radius – free of charge of course.
Summary
As you can see, the BVG’s rail replacement service, like almost everything in Berlin, is complicated and a bit unpredictable, which is why we ask for your understanding. In the end, even the biggest construction project will eventually be finished, and then everything will run as usual again.
And finally, a fun fact:
The first rail replacement service in Germany was the use of horse-drawn omnibuses in 1840/41 between Vienenburg and Schladen. This was necessary because the opening of the relevant section of the Brunswick–Harzburg railway line was delayed due to construction setbacks.