Barrier -free bus stops in Sonderheim: Construction work begin soon!

Barrier -free bus stops in Sonderheim: Construction work begin soon!

On January 20, 2025, construction work for the barrier-free expansion of the bus stop "Willi-Gutting-Straße" in Sonzheim begins. This project is part of a comprehensive initiative to improve the barrier -free traffic infrastructure in the city of Germersheim and its environment. The stops that are in the immediate vicinity of the train station are mutually rebuilt, so that a limited but continuous passage for traffic remains possible. Mayor Marcus Schaile emphasizes that the bus traffic of line 595 (Germersheim - Hördt - Leimersheim - Rheinzabern and back) is not significantly impaired by the work. The city has set up a replacement stop at the station forecourt during the construction period to maintain the validity of the previous departure times.

In order to take the construction work into account, absolute stopping bans are set up, which are necessary to ensure proper bus operation. In addition, the rail replacement traffic (SEV) between Wörth and Germersheim will be affected, since the SEV route must be redirected to relieve the construction site area. This new route leads via the Selbenheim sports field and Germersheimer Straße to the train station in Sonderheim. The way back is via Germersheimer Straße, Konrad-Nolte-Straße and the Pater-Bruno-Moos-Straße back to Germersheim. During the construction period, the “Willi-Gutting-Straße” and “Scherer (L552)” stops are eliminated, which partially extends the switch between the bus and the train. Nevertheless, accessibility remains largely guaranteed, which is particularly important for people and families with children.

clear goal: barrier -free local transport

The city of Germersheim submitted a funding application to the Rhineland-Palatinate state company in February 2022 in order to finance the barrier-free conversion of a total of nine bus stops. These construction measures, which also include the stops in Kirchstrasse in Sonderheim and others in Germersheim, are supported by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate with a sum of up to 173,145 euros. With this funding commitment, the conversion is intended to cover up to 85% of the costs, which means that the barrier -free mobility in the region can be significantly improved.

The planned conversions will also include modern designs such as an increased curb and a blind control system. These measures are of central importance so that people with wheelchairs or other mobility aids have simple access to the buses. At the same time, the integration of control systems for visually impaired passengers on the sidewalks is encouraged. Mayor Schaile emphasizes that these measures will be relieved for the citizens of restricted mobility.

Legal framework and social participation

The efforts to make accessible public transport are in line with the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities (UN-BRK). Dr. Valentin Aichele, head of the monitoring position for the UN-BRK, emphasizes that self-determined mobility is a human right and requires state obligations to create extensive framework conditions. This also includes barrier -free access to transport and the entire route, which is often associated with considerable challenges for people with disabilities. Barriers like parked sidewalks and inadequate guidelines make it difficult for you in everyday life to travel independently.

In order to meet the legal obligation to complete the complete accessibility, as stipulated in the Personal Transport Act of 2013, it is necessary to develop further funding programs and to check the accessibility of local transport plans in the federal states. The Berlin draft law on public transport is seen as a step in the right direction because it fixes adequate precautions for people with disabilities.

The city of Germersheim asks all citizens for understanding of any inconvenience during the construction period and sees the upcoming work as essential progress in the direction of a barrier -free future for everyone.