Hamburg’s public transport system is a highly complex network of U- and S-Bahn trains, buses, and ferries. Even the most well-oiled machine needs a tune up from time to time, and with demand for reliable and affordable public transportation ever increasing, it's time for this Hamburg engine to get an upgrade.
The HVV Hamburg traffic organisation will implement several measures to further strengthen the city's public transport grid. In doing so, commutes will become faster and more comfortable. Since 15 Dec, 2019, arrival cycles have been further shortened and additional trains and buses added to many lines. To further aid commuters, pre-existing lines will be expanded, while drafts for additional lines have been ratified and will soon become reality.
New stations
As a first step towards connecting some of the city's more remote neighbourhoods, two new stations were inaugurated in mid-December 2019: a U1 station in Oldenfelde, and an additional stop at Elbbrücken on the eastern tip of HafenCity for the S3. What’s more, regional trains will depart more regularly as well.
Six new X(-press) lines will partly replace the express buses that were formerly subject to surcharges. The main M(-etrobus) lines will run more frequently and several bus lines have begun to provide regular nighttime transportation.
In order to create a sustainable alternative to car traffic, public transport must take on an even greater role in Hamburg. The city intends to increase the amount of public transport in the overall traffic volume from 22% to 30% by 2030. Between 2019 and 2021, an additional €100 million were invested in public transport measures.
U5 and S4
Among other things, construction for the upcoming U5 underground line commenced in September 2022. The line is scheduled to begin operations in 2028/29 and will connect Hamburg's northwest and northeast with the city centre. Autonomous operation will result in arrival cycles as short as 90 seconds. Important institutions such as the City Nord, the Altona Volkspark, Hamburg University and the UKE hospital will all be connected to the public transport grid more efficiently.
In addition, two new S-Bahn lines are scheduled to begin operating within this decade: the S4 and the S6. The first section of the S4 will connect Rahlstedt and Hasselbrook (by 2027), ultimately reaching as far east as Bad Oldesloe (by 2029). The S6 will boost connections between Harburg and Elbgastraße via Dammtor (by 2029), while the S5 will replace a branch of the A trains stretching as far north as Kaltenkirchen.
