Criticism of local transport: Stuttgart University is fighting for a light rail connection!

Criticism of local transport: Stuttgart University is fighting for a light rail connection!

The University of Hohenheim is vehemently calling for the implementation of a direct light rail connection via the so-called “Möhringer Curve” by 2030 at the latest. This emerges from a current communication from the university, in which Chancellor Katrin Scheffer points out the potential negative effects that a further postponement of the project could have for students and Stuttgart as a science location. The university has been committed to this project for around ten years now. In 2023, committed students submitted the building proposal to Stuttgart's participatory budget, which led to the positive positioning in first place, but implementation remains uncertain.

The current situation is alarming as the university management, together with the student representatives, are already concerned about the plans to postpone the project again. The direct light rail connection is a central aspect of the university's mobility plan. The local council had already approved the University of Hohenheim's master plan for construction and transport in 2017 and included the "Möhringer Curve" in the local transport plan. Construction was originally scheduled for 2023, but this date has now been postponed to 2027, with current plans not seeing implementation until 2030 at the earliest.

Dissatisfaction with public transport connections

The student representatives express dissatisfaction with the university's current connection to the public transport network. In this context, district leader Andrea Lindel supported the students' proposal and criticized the city administration's savings plans. These developments will now be discussed by the members of the district advisory board in the fall as part of a discussion about the local transport plan.

The development of the project can be seen in the chronology of events:

• 2015: Beginn der Arbeiten am Mobilitätskonzept mit Fokus auf die Stadtbahnanbindung.
• Oktober 2017: Der Gemeinderat stimmt dem Masterplan der Universität zu, die „Möhringer Kurve“ wird für den Nahverkehrsplan 2023 aufgenommen.
• 2018: Einführung von Parkgebühren auf dem Campus, gefolgt von der Forderung der Universität nach einem ÖPNV-Ausbau.
• 2023: Studierende initiieren Bürgerhaushalt, erreichen Platz 1, die Stadtverwaltung plant Umsetzung für 2027.
• Mitte 2025: SSB und Rathaus schlagen vor, die „Möhringer Kurve“ frühestens ab 2030 umzusetzen.

Parallel to these developments, the plans of Stadtwerke Stuttgart (SSB) are active. Investigations and in-depth tests of various variants are planned to enable a direct, transfer-free connection from Birkach, Plieningen and Hohenheim to the light rail network. One of the options being considered provides a connection from Degerloch via Asemwald to Birkach and Plieningen. The environmental and cost factors should be taken into account when determining the most preferable route. However, the financing options are currently unclear as there is no follow-up regulation for the federal program according to the Municipal Transport Financing Act.

Innovative mobility concepts

Universities are also active in efforts to promote modern mobility in Baden-Württemberg. Universities specializing in sustainable mobility, including the University of Hohenheim, were recently awarded prizes for their best ideas in the “Mobility concepts for an emission-free campus” competition. On December 10th, Science Minister Theresia Bauer honored the most innovative concepts and awarded a total of 800,000 euros for their implementation. The University of Hohenheim received 150,000 euros for its “2030 Master Plan for Construction and Mobility”, with plans for bicycle parking spaces, a Pedelec test fleet and improved bus connections.

These initiatives were launched as part of the state government's automotive industry strategy dialogue, which is intended to drive the transformation of the automotive industry through electrification and digitalization. Despite this progress, the rapid and effective implementation of the light rail connection via the “Möhringer Curve” remains a central challenge for the university and the entire Stuttgart area.

The needs and expectations of students and the entire university community should not be ignored. In the hope of an early solution to urban mobility issues, the University of Hohenheim continues to keep its finger on the pulse of developments.