Autumn and early summer span a duration of 95 days for the series S11.
Renovation Plans for S-Bahn S11 Line Force Closure and Traffic Solution Proposal
Residents of Bergisch Gladbach may face a year-long absence of the S-Bahn service to Cologne due to the planned construction of a second track on the S11 route. Additionally, temporary closures are anticipated in late autumn 2025 and early summer 2026. As a result, the CDU and Greens have presented a motion to the county council's transport committee, advocating for a comprehensive replacement and supplementary transport concept.
The motion, submitted ten days ago, reveals that the S-Bahn line will shut down entirely from November 7 to 17, 2025, and from April 10 to July 3, 2026. These prolonged closures are due to bridge work in Mülheim and general renovation of the high-performance network connecting Cologne, Wuppertal, and Hagen, which will necessitate a three-month shutdown in early summer 2026.
Situated in the county of Rheinisch-Bergisch, approximately 40,000 commuters rely on the S-Bahn service between Bergisch Gladbach and Cologne. In view of the foreseeable strain on traffic, the CDU and Greens have urged the county administration to collaborate immediately with the transport association go.Rheinland, the city of Cologne, and regional transport companies. Together, they aim to devise a comprehensive replacement and supplementary transport concept, incorporating reliable, fast rail replacement services and potential integration of the Cologne-Thielenbruch city rail stop.
Furthermore, the factions propose expanding the E-bike system's rental stations in the district, linking them to the Cologne system, and adding connections between Thielenbruch and the Mülheim station. Additionally, they advocate for the county's involvement in a fast bus system with direct lines to Cologne's center.
In their request, the CDU and Greens emphasize the development of innovative and flexible solutions that seamlessly integrate various modes of transport, prioritizing fast direct connections and the expansion of bike rental systems. The early implementation of this replacement and supplementary concept gives the best chance to engage the public and build trust in public transportation.
Following the unanimous approval of the request by the transport committee, the district administration is now working on finding appropriate solutions. The transport association go.Rheinland is expected to play a key role in this process. The planning approval procedure for the S11 line's second track expansion and significantly enlarged station in Bergisch Gladbach is still ongoing, and no one involved has commented on when construction work will commence until the necessary processes are finalized.
[1] Upgrade of the S11 Main Line (package 1 "VP1") focuses on enhancing the line's capacity and service reliability in the long term.[4] The S11 line typically operates every 20-30 minutes, connecting Bergisch Gladbach to Cologne via Düsseldorf Central Station.
- In light of the prolonged closures of the S-Bahn S11 line, the CDU and Greens suggest that the county administration collaborate with the finance industry to secure funding for a comprehensive transportation solution that includes reliable rail alternatives, such as integrating the Cologne-Thielenbruch city rail stop and enhancing the E-bike system.
- As the industry sector works on the S11 Main Line's upgrade, it is crucial to implement a temporary finance strategy that ensures the continuity of transportation services during the construction period, particularly in sectors like transportation that rely heavily on public services.
