This week and next, public transport users can expect additional restrictions and longer travel times due to S-Bahn closures. In addition to the current restrictions on train services to Hamburg and the measures due to Joe Biden’s recent visit, the north of Berlin is now affected.
The route from Nordbahnhof via Bornholmer Straße to Alt-Reinickendorf or Pankow-Heinersdorf is no longer served by trains as of 4 a.m. today.
Instead, replacement buses are running between Nordbahnhof and Pankow-Heinersdorf and between Nordbahnhof and Alt-Reinickendorf. A shuttle train runs every 10 minutes between Heinersdorf and Blankenburg.
The S-Bahn S1 is also interrupted between Nordbahnhof and Wittenau, where replacement buses are also being used. A shuttle service runs every 10 minutes between Wittenau and Waidmannslust. The RE1 train line runs between Gesundbrunnen and Oranienburg stations. From Monday to Friday, these trains run three times in the morning and four times in the afternoon to the city (including the corresponding return journeys).
S-Bahn closures: restrictions on the Ringbahn as well
The reason for the restrictions is the commissioning of the ZBS train safety system, which monitors the trains during the journey and will replace the maintenance-intensive mechanical train malfunctions in future. This requires acceptance tests and test runs, which has led to restrictions on the Ringbahn since last Monday. The line between Greifswalder Straße and Wedding has therefore been closed for some time.
In addition, travelers wishing to fly from BER during the autumn vacations must continue to expect restrictions. The renewal of the tracks between Altglienicke and BER Airport will continue until November 8, which is why replacement bus services have also been set up here. During this period, there will be no S-Bahn services between BER Airport and Adlershof. Passengers affected are asked to use the FEX (Airport Express) or regional trains to BER.
Cable work will also take place between Spindlersfeld and Schöneweide during the fall vacations to connect the line to the future electronic interlocking in Schöneweide. From Friday (10 p.m.) to November 4 (1:30 a.m.), there will be no S-Bahn service here either.