Light rail for new MHH building? Region demands clear solutions for planning!

Light rail for new MHH building? Region demands clear solutions for planning!

The planned light rail connection to the Hannover Medical School (MHH) is once again the focus of public debate. The construction project on Stadtfelddamm, which includes the construction of a new clinic complex, is significantly influenced by this connection. While the Hanover region is calling for an improvement in accessibility through a light rail connection, MHH representatives are skeptical about the project and warn of possible negative effects.

The MHH is currently planning to build a new clinic complex approximately 600 meters west of the existing “Medical University” light rail stop. As the MHH reported, calls for a light rail connection have become louder in connection with this project. The plans initially considered a connection via shuttle buses, a skywalk or even a cable car. Now the light rail connection seems to be the preferred solution.

Criticism of the plans

On June 4, 2025, the Hanover Region examined the economic viability of the planned light rail route and continually expressed concerns from the MHH and the state, in particular regarding the vibrations and electromagnetic interference that the tram could cause. The MHH Executive Board is therefore calling for alternative routes to minimize the risks. The light rail route could eliminate part of the building site, which would result in additional delays and costs, which in turn hinders the already complex planning.

According to a report, the structural requirements for necessary vibration protection and the possible relocation of operational processes, such as an existing data center, could cause additional logistical difficulties. The need for a transitional instrument such as a shuttle bus service is particularly critical, as only a third of the health care supply can be accommodated in the new building.

The dilemma of accessibility

The discussion about barrier-free connections is particularly complex. Since January 1, 2022, according to the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG), all cities and districts have had to make local public transport barrier-free. Nevertheless, little has been done in many regions, which is why experts see this as an urgent problem. The Human Action points out that funding bottlenecks and limited human resources in administrations in particular mean that many accessibility measures are still outstanding.

The new light rail project is further evidence that both technical and financial challenges must be overcome to create an inclusive transport infrastructure. Although the Bundestag has decided to anchor the goal of accessibility in the PBefG, there is a lack of the necessary financial resources for implementation.

In the context of these developments, not only the accessibility of the MHH is at stake, but also the question of actual accessibility in local public transport. The Hanover region, together with the MHH and the state, must find a solution that meets both the structural requirements and the needs of the patients.