Berlin's Central Metro Line Temporarily Shutdown Until Late September
The U5 line in Berlin, which connects Hauptbahnhof to Marzahn, is currently closed for construction work until September 21st. This closure has led to disruptions in U-bahn, tram, and bus services, with detailed information available here.
During the closure period, passengers are advised to use alternative connections primarily involving S-Bahn and tram services. For example, the S7 line connects key points like Ahrensfelde to Potsdam via Ostkreuz and Berlin Hauptbahnhof and runs at 10 to 20-minute intervals, offering a viable alternative route across the city center. However, during disruptions, it may run less frequently.
Trams such as the M5 route serve parts of the city including eastern Berlin, which can help cover some segments along or near the U5 line. Moreover, walking or using local bus connections to nearby stations on functioning lines like U-Bahn stations around Kienberg (Gärten der Welt) can also be an option for some passengers.
Regarding journey times, closures on the U5 line will inevitably result in longer travel durations. The alternative S-Bahn and tram services tend to operate at slightly reduced frequencies during nighttime or disruption periods, and there may be additional waiting and transfer times. For instance, the S7 line is currently operating at 20-minute intervals during parts of the disruption, compared to its usual higher frequency, which will increase travel time slightly. Delays and congestion stemming from rerouted passengers may also add to journey times.
A replacement bus service has been set up for passengers between Frankfurter Allee and Tierpark stations. Individual trains will also run between Tierpark and Biesdorf-Süd stations as a shuttle service. However, journey times are expected to be significantly longer with these services.
The work on the U5 line between Cottbusser Platz and Kaulsdorf-Nord is expected to cause further disruptions, but the BVG has not yet announced alternative connections for passengers during this phase of the construction.
The work on the U5 line is more time-consuming than initially anticipated. The start of the work was delayed due to the late delivery of the necessary switches. The work requires a lot of manual labour and safety precautions, which significantly extends the construction time. Media reports suggest that the work on the U5 line between Frankfurter Allee and Biesdorf-Süd has been extended due to complex working conditions in the narrow underground tunnel.
The BVG continues to recommend that passengers use alternative connections such as the S5 where possible during the construction work on the U5 line. Passengers are encouraged to check current timetables before travel and plan for extra time during the U5 closure period.
In the wake of the U5 line's closure, passengers might need to explore alternatives provided by the S-Bahn and public-transit systems, such as trams or local buses. For example, the S7 line, running at 10 to 20-minute intervals, connects key points in Berlin, offering a viable finance option for travel during this period, albeit with potential delays.
Moreover, the transportation of trams like the M5 serves parts of eastern Berlin, contributing to covering some segments along or near the U5 line, which remains closed until September 21st.
