Ditch the Delays: Your Commute to GL Just Got More Complex
Autumn and early summer span over a period of 95 days as S11 airs during these seasons.
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In less than three years, citizens of Bergisch Gladbach might face a major inconvenience when commuting to Cologne. The anticipated S11 track, if developed, could lead to a temporary halt in S-Bahn services for approximately a year. In addition, construction work slated for autumn 2025 and summer 2026 will cause significant disruptions in service, prolonging your daily commute.
The CDU and Green factions at the Kreistag have voiced their concerns, proposing an alternative traffic plan that promises to alleviate some of the pressure on commuters.
A motion submitted to the Kreistag's transport committee a fortnight ago, despite garnering little public attention, carries a mighty impact for the estimated 40,000 commuters in the Bergisch Gladbach region and Cologne—an anticipated closure from November 7 to 17, 2025 and April 10 to July 3, 2026.
Upon request, the district administration has confirmed these plans put forth by rail authorities. The main reasons for these disruptions include bridge work in Mülheim during November 2025 and the general renovation of the Cologne-Wuppertal-Hagen high-performance network in early summer 2026, necessitating an almost three-month closure.
Furthermore, additional closures are being proposed in response to "unscheduled measures" associated with the proposed network expansion.
A Multi-Faceted Solution: Comprehensive Replacement and Supplementary Concept
Recognizing the implications of these disruptions, the CDU and Greens factions urge the district administration to collaborate with the Zweckverband go.Rheinland, the city of Cologne, and regional transport companies to establish a comprehensive replacement and supplementary concept.
Their key objectives include the creation of a reliable and swift rail replacement service between Bergisch Gladbach, Duckterath, and suitable Cologne railway connections, as well as the potential integration of the Cologne-Thielenbruch city rail stop.
In addition to this, the factions propose expanding the E-bike system hire stations in the Rheinisch-Bergisch district, connecting them with the Cologne system, and also integrating Thielenbruch and Mülheim stations into the plan.
To supplement their proposed improvements, the factions advocate for the district's involvement in a fast bus system with direct lines to Cologne's center, serving as a speedy alternative for commuters and relieving existing connections.
Rather than relying on the conventional rail replacement traffic, the CDU and Greens demand "innovative and flexible solutions that intelligently link various means of transport and emphasize fast, direct connections and the expansion of the bike hire system."
The Earlier, the Better: "The sooner the replacement and supplementation concept is in place, the greater the chance to involve people and rebuild trust in public transport."
The transport committee endorsed the application unanimously. The district administration is actively searching for viable solutions, with the transport association go.Rheinland being the main driving force behind the initiative.
The planning approval process for the expansion of the S 11 by a second track and a significantly expanded station in Bergisch Gladbach is still ongoing. None of the parties involved are ready to predict when construction work will commence before the completion of these procedures.
- The anticipated S11 track, if developed, and the construction work in autumn 2025 and summer 2026 pose challenges for the finance industry, as they might cause significant disruptions in transportation that could impact the daily commute of thousands, potentially affecting the general news and politics of the Bergisch Gladbach region and Cologne.
- Amidst these projected disruptions, the CDU and Green factions at the Kreistag have proposed an alternative traffic plan that involves collaboration with key players such as the Zweckverband go.Rheinland, the city of Cologne, and regional transport companies. This plan aims to create a comprehensive replacement and supplementary concept, focusing on innovative and flexible solutions that intelligently link various means of transport, including rail, bus, and bike systems.
- The proposed traffic plan aims to address concerns in the industry and policy-and-legislation sectors, as the CDU and Greens demand a reliable and swift rail replacement service, the expansion of the E-bike system, and the integration of key transportation hubs in Bergisch Gladbach, Cologne, and Mülheim, with the ultimate goal of providing fast, direct connections for commuters and restoring trust in public transport.
