What is cheaper: to build new metro lines or tram routes?

Prospects for the development of modern rail electric transport were discussed in Minsk. The city electric train, the shallow subway and the tram are the types of «green» rail transport that are now actively developing in the major cities of Germany. In Belarus, tram transport exists only in 4 cities: Minsk, Vitebsk, Mozyr and Novopolotsk. However, it is cheaper to build and modernize tram routes than metro. Moreover, land transport is easier and more affordable to make it convenient for the disabled. In large European cities, the tram is one of  the main means of transport.

Hans Werner Franz, counselor to the Executive Director of the Transport Union of the Federal Lands of Berlin- Brandenburg (VBB), ex-president of the European Metropolitan Transport Association (EMTA)

“More than 60 miles of tram routes are to build in Berlin in the near future, “said Hans Werner Franz, counselor to the Executive Director of the Transport Union of the Federal Lands of Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB). The Germans calculated that it is easier and cheaper to build new tram routes than the metro: the cost of building one mile of the “subway” is equal to the cost of constructing ten miles of tram routes. In addition, land transport is cheaper to adapt for people with disabilities, parents with prams, etc. According to Herr Franz, equipping one Berlin subway station with elevators costs 4 million euros, while low-floor trams and tram stops with appropriate accommodation for people with disabilities cost much cheaper .

Tram transport in Germany is flourishing in large cities, especially in the financial center of the country — Frankfurt, where even bankers and managers of international companies use trams to avoid traffic jams and save time. Tram networks are used along with electric city trains,which has proven itself to be a good choice on narrow streets in the center of any old European city.

Speaking about the advantages of the tram over the metro, the German expert noted that the ground rail network has great opportunities for adjustment and modernization: the passengers have a wider range of direct transfer to other modes of transport; the speed can be increased by separating the tram rotes from the traffic lanes; tram routes can be modernized step by step, with separate fragments being repaired; tram routes cover a larger urban area than the metro; it is quite easy to regulate the intensity of tram traffic and the capacity of the vehicle(you can add a car if necessary).

According to Hans Werner Franz, there are no trams older than 18 years in Germany. The Germans are constantly trying to make public transport as comfortable for passengers as possible (such facilities as space for bicycles, wheelchairs, comfortable conditions for using a smartphone, Wi-Fi, etc. are provided) Renovation of the public transport makes the tram more attractive to citizens, the schedules are composed and modified for the sake of convenience.

Hans Werner Franz, counselor to the Executive Director of the Transport Union of the Federal Lands of Berlin- Brandenburg (VBB), ex-president of the European Metropolitan Transport Association (EMTA)

“Of course, we need to collect more information: where exactly do people go, how far, how many passengers are there?.. A passenger has one ticket, which he uses for all means of transport: a person can get on the bus, then change to the subway, and then with the same ticket – to the tram, so people don’t have to buy new tickets every time. Our areas of responsibility are distributed: the state is responsible for the major railways, regional roads are subordinate to local authorities, tram transport is also municipal, but passengers do not feel any difference, since a single ticket is suitable for all types of transport.  That distribution of responsibilities doesn’t interest our passangers.It is just important for any passenger to get to their destination on time,” the German expert said.

(Source: http://by.odb-office.eu).

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