Mobility transition in Berlin

Reconnection and mobility transition -tasks after reunification

After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of East and West Germany, traffic planning in Berlin had to take into account the merging of the two halves’ urban infrastructure. Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company, invested more than 10 billion euros between 1990 and 2010 in expanding train lines and rebuilding or constructing new train stations in Berlin.For many years after reunification, urban development was hindered by stagnation and emigration to surrounding areas. Politicians focused on improving car, train, and air traffic with mixed results; but for a long time there was no innovative concept for a mobility transition in Berlin. Recently however,, things have begun to change. The city has started to invest in sustainable modes of transportation like electric buses, bicycles, and walking paths. These investments are not only good for the environment – they also make it easier for people to get around without relying on cars or public transportation.

By coping with requirements that arose from Berlin’s special situation, international trends and developments were overlooked, which have become increasingly noticeable in recent years in Berlin’s traffic scene. Thus, according to a study by Greenpeace, in Berlin an average of 4.70 euros per inhabitant per year are invested in cycle paths and traffic safety, in Amsterdam 11.00 euros and in Copenhagen 36.50 euros. With low emissions, greater traffic safety and improved quality of stay, these cities also achieved leadership and as a consequence a clear economic locational advantage.

The Berlin Mobility Law – Roadmap for a sustainable and climate-friendly mobility policy

A profound change in direction took place in 2017 with the formation of the Senate Department responsible for mobility, in which the ministries of environment, traffic and climate protection (Sen UVK) were merged. Taking into account international megatrends, the work has now focused on the three main topics: urbanization, digitization and decarbonisation. In February 2018 Berlin then initiated Germany’s first mobility law, which also decided to increase the promotion of cycling. The cycle traffic network is to be extended, and several cycling routes will be newly built. Traffic safety is to be increased by expanding wheel arches and eliminating danger spots.

Bicycle counting device near Alexanderplatz. Foto: C. Hajer

Testing area for new cycling lanes under the Highline of Berlin underground in Kreuzberg, May, 2024. Photo: C.Hajer

The new public transport plan 2019

In March 2019, there is also a new local transport plan to support mobility transition, with an investment budget of a remarkable 28 billion euros by the year 2030. Existing deficits in public transport will be reduced and offers will be improved, as well as intensified networking within the metropolitan region of Berlin-Brandenburg for commuters and commercial traffic. The stock of waggons for the subway is to be increased by 30% to 1650, there are 500 new waggons for the S-Bahn, also an extension of cycle lanes. Three tram lines will be extended by 85 kilometers and buses will be ordered for 810 million Euro to operate further E-bus lines by 2030.

Since regional settlement development planning is mainly based on the connection to existing radial railway lines, commuters are expected to see an increase in the number of people transferring from the car. There was a clear rejection of the Senate regarding the expectations of the still increasing passenger car traffic, which is still tied to combustion engines. Meanwhile a City toll system like in London is under discussion.

E-Bus in Berlin - photograph: Christian Hajer| berlininfo expert tours

E-Bus of Berlins public transport organisation BVG

Charging infrastructure

In spring 2022, there will be around 1900 charging points for cars or light commercial vehicles such as scooters, scooters etc. on public or private property throughout the city.

An overview map you can find here. For the further expansion of the urban charging infrastructure by 2030, a municipal company is now to build 2,000 additional new public charging points at a cost of approximately 10 million euros. At least 200 of these are planned as fast charging points.

Charging infrastructure is critical for the development of E- mobility in Berlin. Image: C. Hajer

Pedestrian traffic law

In addition, the first pedestrian law in Germany is being prepared for 2019, which will take into account the already agreed equality of transport modes by establishing legally binding provisions in the process of mobility transition. The measures are aimed at achieving “Vision Zero” to increase pedestrian safety and improve walkable infrastructure in the process of urban transformation. Last year, the number of accidents in the central districts of Mitte and Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf rose again, with 13 casualities.