Trains and drones: the strategies of MVG and S-Bahn during Munich's Oktoberfest storm
The world's largest folk festival, Oktoberfest, has kicked off in Munich on Saturday, and the city's transport company, MVG, is ready to ensure a smooth journey for the anticipated crowd.
MVG will deploy an additional 230 staff daily during Oktoberfest to speed up the boarding process and enforce the ban on certain items. This increased workforce will join the 6,000 extra trips MVG will run during the 16-day festival.
To manage the influx of visitors, S-Bahn trains will run on all lines until late at night at a 20-minute interval, resulting in over 500 additional or extended trips. S-Bahn trains at Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station will arrive at one-minute intervals.
Munich's transport company has also enlisted the help of external specialists from various transport companies across Europe. These experts will work alongside MVG staff to ensure the smooth running of the public transportation system during Oktoberfest.
The use of technology is also a significant part of the preparations. For the first time at Oktoberfest 2022, Deutsche Bahn will use a camera drone to quickly identify unauthorized persons on the tracks and resume train traffic more quickly.
Paramedics will be directly on the platforms of the most important stations during Oktoberfest for immediate assistance to passengers.
Regional trains, U-Bahn, buses, and trams will also be reinforced during Oktoberfest. MVG will run these modes of transport with increased frequency, with the goal of covering about 100,000 kilometers more than usual during the festival.
Historically, more than half of Oktoberfest visitors have used public transportation in Munich, and this year, the MVG is prepared to cater to this demand. With the escalators at the U-Bahnhof Theresienwiese running faster during Oktoberfest, at 0.1 meters per second more than usual, and the additional trips covering the increased distance, visitors can expect a seamless journey.
60 of the total 150 additional DB security staff will be deployed at Hackerbrücke S-Bahn station to ensure the safety and security of passengers.
Despite the extensive preparations, specific information about the external specialists from various European transport companies who are deployed by the MVG for Oktoberfest 2022 was not available at the time of this article's publication.
The goal of these preparations is to make Oktoberfest 2022 as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible for all visitors. So, whether you're a local or a tourist, grab your steins, don your traditional outfits, and prepare for a memorable Oktoberfest experience in Munich.
