Frankfurt in the construction site chaos: U-train lines stopped for three weeks!

Frankfurt in the construction site chaos: U-train lines stopped for three weeks!

commuters in Frankfurt will have to adjust to considerable restrictions in subway traffic for the next three weeks. The transport company Frankfurt (VGF) has announced track and switch construction work, which started on Monday morning at 2 a.m. and will last until April 13, 2025. These construction measures affect the U9 subway line, which is completely stopped during this time. In addition, the U1 subway line will only run between the Südbahnhof and Heddernheim.

In addition, there will be a rail replacement traffic with buses between the Heddernheim and Ginnheim Mitte stations. Unfortunately, the Ginnheim/Niddapark station is eliminated during the construction work. Alternatives for the affected passengers are the S6 S-Bahn line as well as buses from the M60 metrobus line, and the U8 subway line, which is extended to Nieder-Eschbach. As part of the construction work, around 1,200 meters of rail exchange and the installation of two switches between Heddernheimer Landstrasse and the northwest center are carried out. New cables are also laid along the route, and the barrier -free conversion of the Ginnheim/Niddapark station begins

maintenance work on the Internet

In addition, the VGF plans extensive maintenance and maintenance work on the Frankfurt subway and tram network in the second half of 2024. The aim is to maintain a subway network with a length of 64.85 kilometers and a tram network with 68.67 kilometers. Important components that are taken into account are tracks, soft, signals, top lines and the driving force.

planned construction measures in the second half of 2024 include track and course construction on Ratsweg and Schloßstraße as well as work on the driving current reinforcement at various locations. The VGF will announce detailed information on this work promptly, even if the periods could still shift. The competent maintenance is considered necessary to ensure the punctual and reliable operation of the nine subway and ten tram lines.

Current strikes in the public service

Another challenge for public transport in Frankfurt are the current warning strikes in the public service in which around 5,500 employees have participated in Hesse. The Verdi trade union called for these work, the Frankfurt transport company and municipal employees are particularly affected.

nine out of ten subway and tram lines in Frankfurt remained in the depot during the strikes. Verdi spokesman Mathias Venema asked the passengers for understanding and referred to alternatives such as S-Bahn and buses. The strike actions should continue until the end of the shift, but it is planned that the underground and trams will take again from Thursday. Verdi is satisfied with the high strike participation.

The union's salary claims include an increase of 8 % or at least 350 euros per month, as well as higher surcharges for stressful activities and additional free days. The second round of the collective bargaining will take place on February 17th and 18th, 2025 in Potsdam.

The transport company and the union continue to negotiate the best solutions to take into account both the maintenance work and the interests of the employees.