An important milestone in the digitization process of Frankfurt's subway system is coming up during this year's Easter vacations: From Saturday, March 23, around 4 a.m., until Monday, April 15, around 3 a.m., VGF will be installing cables for the digital train control system Digital Train Control System Frankfurt (DTC) on the route of lines U4 and U5, the so-called "B" line, as planned. This will enable the subway trains to run more punctually and at more frequent intervals in future.
In order to avoid further closures and work efficiently, the VGF is also using the time intensively for other work. For this reason, the line has to be completely closed for both lines during the Easter vacations. This means that the U4 line will not run between Enkheim and Bockenheimer Warte and the U5 line will not run between Preungesheim and the main station.
Tram line 10 as a replacement for the U4
In order to be able to serve as many stations as possible on the canceled U4 subway line and to provide connections to suitable alternative routes, traffiQ and VGF are sending a special streetcar line with the number 10 onto the tracks. It runs from the zoo via Bornheim Mitte, Konstablerwache, Dom/Römer and Hauptbahnhof to Westbahnhof.
To make room for line 10, streetcar line 14 only runs between Hauptbahnhof and Gustavsburgplatz. The Ebbelwei-Express does not run between Zoo and Allerheiligentor.
Buses are running for the U5 line
A rail replacement service with buses (SEV) is in operation for the U5 subway line, connecting Preungesheim and Konstablerwache stations and serving the stations on the U5 line in between. In the direction of Konstablerwache, however, the buses cannot serve Glauburgstraße and Musterschule stations directly, as they have to be diverted via Nibelungenallee and Friedberger Landstraße. The SEV stops are located on Friedberger Landstraße, with signposting on site.
Many alternatives in the dense network
Many regular lines also offer alternatives:
The Frankfurt S-Bahn trains connect the central stations Hauptbahnhof, Hauptwache and Konstablerwache.
The U6 and U7 lines connect Bockenheimer Warte, Konstablerwache and Zoo. The U7 continues from there to Enkheim, with more frequent service in the mornings and additional carriages on all days.
The U1, U2, U3 and U8 lines run at frequent intervals along Eschersheimer Landstraße and connect the stations Weißer Stein, Hügelstraße, Hauptwache and Willy-Brandt-Platz. They can be easily reached by several bus lines from the closed section of the U5.
Tram line 11 connects the main station and Börneplatz.
Tram line 12 connects the stops Hauptbahnhof/Münchener Straße, Konstablerwache, Bornheim Mitte and Eissporthalle/Festplatz.
Tram line 16 serves the same stops as the subway between Bockenheimer Warte and Hauptbahnhof.
Bus line 38 between Seckbach and Bornheim Mitte is an alternative to the U4.
Bus line 39 connects Preungesheim with Hügelstraße, where it is possible to change to the U1, U2, U3 and U8 lines.
Bus route 40 connects Bergen Ost with Enkheim subway station and the U7 line.
Bus route 42 also connects Bergen with Enkheim subway station.
Bus route M43 connects the stops Seckbacher Landstraße, Bornheim Mitte and Eissporthalle/Festplatz, where it is possible to change to the U7 line.
Bus route 63 connects Preungesheim with the Weißer Stein station, where it is possible to change to the U1, U2, U3 and U8 lines.
This information is also available at vgf-ffm.de/fruehjahr24 on the VGF website
RMV timetable information is up-to-date
Passengers can find out about the timetables and their best connections via the RMV app and at rmv-frankfurt.de. Staff on the RMV service hotline on 069/2424-8024 are also available around the clock and will be happy to provide advice.
What is being done?
The digital signal and train control system DTC is one of the most important future projects in Frankfurt. It involves replacing the existing train control system in the light rail network with a digital signal and train control system. VGF has summarized information on the major DTC project on its innovation page innovation.vgf-ffm.de/dtc.
In the shadow of the DTC project, VGF is carrying out other work in the tunnels of the U4 and U5 lines, including work on the tracks and contact wire, tunnel lighting, cables and fire alarm systems. A few cosmetic repairs in the stations will also be carried out during this time. On the above-ground U5 line between Scheffeleck and Preungesheim, extensive track and catenary work is also on the agenda.
VGF's social media team will be accompanying the project, so you can keep up to date regularly at instagram.com/vgf_allefahrenmit to get a picture of the upcoming work.
