Berne Municipal Transport Authority - Description
Description |
Photos |
Facts |
Index
Berne, capital of Switzerland is located in the western part of the
country and has approximately 135,000 inhabitants. Its picturesque "old
town" is situated on a promontory and is surrounded on three sides by a
bend of the Aare River. The short meter gauge tramway network (14 km long)
is supplemented by other suburban railway lines.
History
The first tramway service in Berne (Bärengraben-main station-Friedhof )
dates back to 1890 and was operated by the private "Berner
Tramway-Gesellschaft" company. Its vehicles were driven by means of
compressed air (!) using the same system as in Paris. Due to problems with
the compressed air system, the second line (Länggasse-Wabern) was opened
in 1894 using more reliable steam railcars, some of which still exist.
The tramway network was taken over by the municipality of Berne in 1900
and renamed the "Städtische Strassenbahn Bern." Electric traction began to
gain acceptance in the ensuing years and the new line from Burgernziel to
Breitenrain started operation in 1901 using electric railcars. The
steam-powered lines were also electrified earlier on.
A new link from the main station to Brückfeld was established in the
summer of 1908. Additional lines were built in 1910
(Breitenrain-Papiermühlestrasse), 1912 (main station-Belpstrasse) and 1923
(Belpstrasse-Fischermätteli).
Trolley-busses proved to be more economical on lines with insufficient
passenger loads, and consequently, the first tramway route (main
station-Bärengraben) was taken out of service in 1940.
After the merger of the trolley-bus and tramway companies in 1947 and the
foundation of the "Städtischen Verkehrsbetrieben Bern" two more lines
(main station-Länggasse in 1959 and Friedhof-Brückfeld in 1965) were
converted to bus routes. In the mid-seventies public transportation in
Berne regained its importance; the suburban railway lines were improved
and the Burgernziel-Saali section was extended.
Operation
Although Berne is not a metropolis by European standards, the dense
timetable of the SVB is remarkable. The traffic demand is met using 8-axle
articulated trams built in the '70's and twelve modern low-floor vehicles
(type Be 4/8.) All vehicles are designed for unidirectional operation.
The most interesting segment is thought to be the line from the main
railway station to the "Zytgloggeturm". On this segment, trams and busses
travel on extremely short headways against the picturesque background of
the arcade buildings.
Next page |
Index
Copyright © 1996
Klaus P. Canavan, last change 07-26-98