Stuttgart Stadtbahn

The Stuttgart Stadtbahn is a light rail system in Stuttgart, Germany. It is operated by the Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB), which also operates the bus systems in that city. The system covers much of Stuttgart and also reaches the neighbouring towns of Fellbach, Gerlingen, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Ostfildern and Remseck am Neckar.

Lines

Operation

The Stadtbahn system runs over 192 km of lines. In the city centre as well as in other densely built-up districts of the city, the Stadtbahn runs underground. The Stadtbahn uses the "U" logo like the underground systems "(U-Bahnen)" in other German cities. However, here the "U" does not stand for "untergrund" (underground) but for "unabhängig" (independent, meaning independent of other traffic infrastructure). Outside the densely built up areas, the Stadtbahn runs on the surface, often along roads with level crossings, though on a separate right-of-way. In a few places, Stadtbahn trains run on street sharing space with other traffic.de] cite web | url = http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/stu/stuttgrt.htm | title = Stuttgart Stadtbahn | publisher = UrbanRail.Net | accessdate = February 21 | accessyear = 2007]

The system is operated with 164 cars, operates on standard gauge track, and is electrified at 750 volts DC. On December, 8th, 2007 the ongoing replacement of the city's tram lines was finally completed after 27 years.

The Stuttgart Stadtbahn operates from 04:45 - 1:15, with trains every 10 minutes on all lines during daytime service, and every 15-20 minutes after 20:00 as well as before 12:00 on weekends. Most routes are served by two or more lines in the city centre, so there is a train every few minutes at most stations.cite web | url = http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/stu/stuttgrt.htm | title = Stuttgart Stadtbahn | publisher = UrbanRail.Net | accessdate = February 21 | accessyear = 2007]

Fares and ticketing

The Stadtbahn is part of the regional transport cooperative, the Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart (VVS), which coordinates tickets and fares among all transport operators in the metropolitan area. Besides the Stadtbahn, these include the SSB's bus networks, together with the Stuttgart S-Bahn, operated by a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG (DBAG), and DBAG's RegionalBahn regional train services within the VVS area.de]

Colour

Since the coat of arms of Stuttgart shows a "black", rampant horse on a "yellow" or golden field, the Stuttgart Stadtbahn (as well as all the buses and the now dysfunctional old trams) comes in yellow with black window frames.

References

External links

* [http://www.ssb-ag.de/ Official web site of the SSB]
* [http://www.vvs.de/download/458.pdf Stadtbahn map (pdf)]
* [http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/stu/stuttgrt.htm Stuttgart Stadtbahn from UrbanRail.Net]