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Regio-S-Bahn

Countries: Germany, France, Switzerland
Border(s): France-Germany, Germany-Switzerland, France-Switzerland,
Territories:
Basel Trinational Eurodistrict,
Topic(s):
- Transport
- Public Services
- Spatial planning and development

This project aims to develop the range of cross-border rail transport services in the area termed the "Regio Tri Rhena", around the border between France, Germany and Switzerland. The project is motivated by the fact that the cross-border region is densely populated and is subject to a high degree of labour mobility, particularly among professional workers. The authorities involved - the Alsace region, the Swiss cantons and the German local authorities of the South Baden area - have therefore joined together to initiate a cross-border policy with the aim of promoting the use of cross-border public transport. This is because they have perceived the need to reinforce the initiatives already adopted to coordinate networks and services by means of developing existing infrastructure:- the "green line" that corresponds to the first RER (rapid suburban) rail service in the region, that was created to link Mulhouse, Basle and Frick in 1997,- the various cross-border bus services.

Partners

  • The Basle city, Basle rural, Aargau, Solothurn and Jura cantons
  • The state of Baden-Württemberg
  • The region of Alsace
  • The transport operators (SNCF, SBB, CFF, FFS, Deutsche Bahn)

Project goals

The overall objective is to promote an optimum rail transport service in the cross-border zone (by means of tram and bus links).

Target group(s)

18 million passengers in 2003

Project activities

Thanks to the strong commitment made by elected officials and the bringing on board of transport operators, the project´s objectives have been achieved: a regular service, the creation of a cross-region line, modern trains, the development of attractive stations, additional stops, easy border crossings and finally a simplification of the fare structure for cross-border traffic.The projects underway relate particularly to the railway link with the EuroAirport, with current studies focusing on the link between the TGV service and the Regio-S-Bahn (suburban railway). The future of the Regio-S-Bahn project depends on:

  • greater attention being paid to the needs of service-users,
  • improved coordination with the development policies in force in the area of the three countries concerned,
  • a rise in the quality of services (without which there will be no significant increase in demand)
  • increased provision of capacity to respond to traffic flows, and so forth.