H-Bahn expansion in Dortmund: the future of climate-friendly mobility!

H-Bahn expansion in Dortmund: the future of climate-friendly mobility!

The planned extension of the H-Bahn in Dortmund is taking concrete shape. A central goal of this measure is to strengthen local public transport and promote climate-friendly mobility. This is also emphasized by the NRW Ministry of Transport, which has already provided over 700,000 euros for planning services in 2021. At the beginning of 2023, two traffic reports confirmed the economic sense of these route extensions, which will run from the campus to the U42 light rail line in Barop.

This expansion will not only relieve the existing bus connections and the S1 S-Bahn line, but also create additional opportunities for mobility in the region. In January 2025, the connection to the U42 was officially included in the public transport requirements plan. The project is financially supported by public funding from the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG), which covers up to 95% of the total costs of around 39 million euros.

Extensive planning and testing

A test route is scheduled to be completed in 2027 to check the efficiency and functionality of the new routes. There are two possible routes to choose from: the first runs along Emil-Figge-Straße, while the second leads from the “DO-Universität S” S-Bahn stop across fields to the “Ortsmühle” student residence. The latter route could enable a branch to the U42 “Barop Parkhaus” stop in the future.

An environmental impact study and a species protection assessment are planned by the beginning of 2026 in order to create the necessary basis for decision-making. After the route has been determined, the design and approval planning will begin in order to enable the entire, two-kilometer-long expansion route to Barop to be put into operation by 2029 at the latest. To ensure that this can be achieved efficiently, a new automation system is being developed that integrates train protection, autonomous driving as well as signal boxes and controls.

Integration and progress

A significant step will take place in the summer of 2025 when the operating company H-BAHN21 will be integrated into the parent company DSW21. This is intended to create important legal and social framework conditions for the expansion project. The H-Bahn, which has been in operation since 1984 as the first driverless and attendantless fully automatic transport system in Germany, has covered over 5 million kilometers and transported almost 40 million passengers without emissions.

In view of the Germany-wide challenges in public transport, the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) is demanding that the new federal government prioritize local public transport and is calling for, among other things, better and more reliable connections as well as higher quality. The planned H-Bahn expansion meets these requirements and is an important step towards a comprehensive and sustainable mobility offer in Germany. Securing and improving the infrastructure in the long term is essential, not least to support environmentally friendly transport.