Frankfurt U4 and U5 closures this weekend: what residents need to know

The U4 underground line in Frankfurt will not run at all this weekend, and the U5 will run only on part of its route, while the Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (VGF, the city’s public transport operator) tests a new digital train control system. According to the Frankfurter Neue Presse, the closure lasts from early Saturday morning until early Monday morning. Replacement trams, buses and extra services will run in the meantime.

What happened

The Frankfurter Neue Presse reports that the VGF needs the tracks clear for test runs of “Digital Train Control Frankfurt” (DTC), a new digital system that controls train movements and keeps trains safely apart. The U4 will stop completely from Saturday 7 November at around 3.30 am until Monday 9 November at around 3.30 am. During the same period, the U5 will run only between Preungesheim and Hauptfriedhof (the main cemetery).

The paper notes that the same technology has already caused disruption on U-Bahn (underground) lines in recent months. The VGF says it knows these irregular closures cause problems for passengers. It calls them a temporary inconvenience and an important investment in faster, more reliable and more sustainable local transport.

According to the report, the new system will let more trains run on the same tracks, make services more punctual and reliable, and use less energy. The VGF also says it will reduce wear on vehicles and rails, and that smoother acceleration and braking will make journeys more comfortable.

What it means for you

If you normally use the U4 or the central and northern parts of the U5, you will need a different route this weekend. The VGF has strengthened several other services, as reported by the Frankfurter Neue Presse:

• U6: runs with longer trains.
• U7: runs more frequently and keeps Enkheim and Riederwald connected.
• S-Bahn (suburban rail): offers a fast link between Hauptbahnhof (main station) and Konstablerwache.
• Tram 16: runs between Bockenheimer Warte, Festhalle/Messe (the trade fair grounds) and Hauptbahnhof. Late in the evening it runs more often between Hauptbahnhof and Ginnheim.
• Trams 11, 12 and 14: also serve Willy-Brandt-Platz and Römer from Hauptbahnhof.
• Special tram 10: runs every ten minutes between Festhalle/Messe and Lokalbahnhof, via Hauptbahnhof, Willy-Brandt-Platz, Römer, Konstablerwache, Bornheim Mitte and Zoo.
• Replacement buses for the U5: a Schienenersatzverkehr (SEV, rail replacement bus service) runs between Konstablerwache and Marbachweg/Sozialzentrum via Hauptfriedhof.

Four stations will stay completely closed for the whole weekend:

• Seckbacher Landstraße
• Höhenstraße
• Merianplatz
• Dom/Römer

If you live near one of these stations, check how to reach the nearest tram stop or replacement bus before you set off.

The Ebbelwei-Expreß, the city’s sightseeing tram, is also affected. On Saturday and Sunday it will take a different route: from Zoo through the Altstadt (old town), Hauptbahnhof (Münchener Straße), Baseler Platz and Stresemannallee to Bahnhof Louisa, then back to Zoo through Sachsenhausen.

The VGF and traffiQ, the city’s local transport planning company, ask passengers to allow extra travel time. Up-to-date timetables and the best connections are available in the RMVgo app and on rmv-frankfurt.de, run by the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV, the regional transport association). The RMV service line, 069/24248024, gives travel advice around the clock.

What to watch next

Normal U4 and U5 services are due to return on Monday 9 November at around 3.30 am. If you travel early on Monday morning, check the RMVgo app before you leave.

The Frankfurter Neue Presse describes DTC as one of the key future projects for Frankfurt’s local transport, and closures for testing have already happened several times in recent months. The source does not say when the next closures will be or when the system will be fully in service, so look out for further VGF announcements if you rely on the underground.

Source: Frankfurter Neue Presse