© Andrey Popov - stock.adobe.com

From the first idea to the implementation of the project

What has happened up to now? What is the current status of the planning? And: When will the first Stadt-Umland-Bahn run? We give you an overview of the history of our project and explain the individual planning steps up to the commissioning of the tram line.

Timeline

What have we already achieved, what is still to come?

First idea of an overland tram system

The first plans for an interurban tram service began at the beginning of the 20th century. This gave rise to the idea of connecting the cities of Nuremberg and Erlangen by tram in order to develop the Knoblauchsland better, among other things.

First light rail concepts

Due to the high and constantly increasing traffic loads in the region, the first concepts for a light rail were developed. In 1991, the government of Middle Franconia commissioned the planning office “Intraplan Consult Munich” with a preliminary study. This assessed the project as making overall economic sense. The aim was to create an environmentally friendly alternative to public transport in order to relieve the burden on the streets and therefore also on people and nature.

First feasibility studies

The city of Erlangen and the districts of Erlangen-Höchstadt and Forchheim commissioned the engineering office “Obermeyer” with a feasibility study. The study drawn up in 1993 showed an extensive Stadt-Umland-Bahn network. The name “Stadt-Umland-Bahn” was officially born.

Decision in principle

The two districts and the city of Erlangen made a decision in principle to build a basic StUB network. They submitted an application for funding to the government of Middle Franconia.

Nuremberg commissioned a study

The city of Nuremberg commissioned the study of a tram extension from Thon to Reutles.

Planning began

The cities of Nuremberg and Erlangen, with the involvement of the VAG and the Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg GmbH (VGN), set up a working group for the specific planning of a Stadt-Umland-Bahn between Nuremberg and Erlangen. The first key data for awarding the standardized evaluation were defined.

Standardized assessment

In 2004 and 2005, a light rail connection from Nuremberg-Thon via Erlangen-Tennenlohe to Erlangen-Hauptpost (today: Arcaden) was examined according to the standardized assessment on behalf of the Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg and the cities of Nuremberg and Erlangen.

Start of the “Am Wegfeld” approval process

In May 2008 the approval process for the new Thon – Am Wegfeld line in Nuremberg was initiated.

Commissioning of the study

The “Stadt-Umland-Bahn” project once again came into focus. A more specific study was commissioned.

Cost-benefit study “T-Network”

The core of the extensive Stadt-Umland-Bahn network from 1993, the so-called “T-Network” was examined once again. This is the network which provides a connection between the cities of Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach with a further branch to Uttenreuth, including various variants according to the standardized assessment (2006 version). In addition, a grant application was submitted. 

Inclusion of funding from the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG)

The Stadt-Umland-Bahn was included in the funding under the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG).

Start of construction “Am Wegfeld”

In September 2013, preliminary work on extending tram line 4 to the “Am Wegfeld” stop began in Nuremberg. The actual construction of the route began in March of the following year.

The Nuremberg city council voted for the Zweckverband StUB

In December 2014, the Nuremberg City Council voted unanimously to found the Zweckverband Stadt-Umland-Bahn.

The referendum in the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt

On April 19, 2015, the citizens of the district of Erlangen-Höchstadt were asked to vote: In a referendum they voted on the StUB. The result: While the majority of the district’s citizens were against the StUB, in Herzogenaurach 75.9 percent voted in favor of the project. In order to resolve this complicated situation in the interests of the people of Herzogenaurach, the originally planned "T-Network" would be shortened by the eastern branch to Uttenreuth. The remaining “L-Network” would connect the cities of Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach. After a corresponding decision by the district council, the city of Herzogenaurach took over responsibility for the local public transport project from the district for its section of the route.

Referendum in Erlangen

In 2016, a referendum on the Stadt-Umland-Bahn was held in Erlangen. On March 6, 2016, 60.4 percent of the voters voted for the StUB. This created the conditions for founding the Zweckverband Stadt-Umland-Bahn together with Herzogenaurach and Nuremberg.

Founding of the Zweckverband StUB

On April 16, 2016, the Zweckverband Stadt-Umland-Bahn was founded by the three cities involved.

Commissioning of “Am Wegfeld”

When the timetable changed on December 10, 2016, the new Thon – Am Wegfeld tram line in Nuremberg was officially opened. The new terminus in the north of Nuremberg “Am Wegfeld” offers not only tram and bus stops, but also a Park & Ride facility for cars and bicycle parking spaces. In the course of the reopening, around a third of Nuremberg’s bus network was realigned and coordinated with the tram.

Start of work of the Zweckverband StUB & start of civil dialogue

On January 1, 2017, our work as the Zweckverband Stadt-Umland-Bahn began. Specific project planning and the dialogue with the citizens started. The first participation event was held on December 18, 2017. 

Variant check of the route

The intensive examination of the routing of the Stadt-Umland-Bahn began: Within two years, more than 100 variants for the route of the Stadt-Umland-Bahn were examined and evaluated in detail by the commissioned engineering offices as part of a formalized, multi-stage selection process. The procedure was accompanied by an extensive public dialogue in the three cities of Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach. A total of 15 events for the citizens took place. In addition to the regular dialogue forums, in which the suggestions and test results were presented and discussed with interested participants, we were also on site along the planned route to walk through individual sections. We also set up an online participation platform through which ideas can be submitted. The result of the 1st dialogue and planning phase was the most promising route from a planning point of view: the so-called preferential route. This was included in the documents of the regional planning procedure together with all the findings from the studies.

Start of the spatial planning process

The first major milestone in the project was reached: On July 4, 2019, the government of Middle Franconia, as the responsible State planning authority, initiated the spatial planning process for the Stadt-Umland-Bahn between Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach. The Municipalities, authorities, associations and citizens affected by the project had until August 23, 2019 to comment.

StUB is space-compatible

On January 27, 2020, the government of Middle Franconia completed the regional planning procedure for the Stadt-Umland-Bahn with the State planning assessment. They assessed the planning submitted as spatially compatible. Only a section of the route in Tennenlohe needed to be reconsidered. The State planning assessment comprised a total of 90 pages. In it, the government of Middle Franconia weighed the important aspects of spatial planning, such as nature and landscape, water, traffic, emission control, urban development and the economy. In the overall view of the effects, the Government stated “that the project makes positive contributions of great importance from the perspective of the technical interests of transport [...], the settlement structure and the regional economy.” The StUB also contributes to a successful, climate-friendly change to traffic. For further planning, the government formulated various requirements from the areas of transport, economy (including agriculture and forestry), energy supply and open space protection.

Completion of preliminary planning

The route, which was certified as spatially compatible by the State Planning Authority in January 2020, will be specified further. The so-called preliminary planning was completed at the end of 2020. Plans are now available on a scale of 1:2,500.

Start of design planning

The more detailed planning of the route between Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach began. Now it is a matter of defining the location of the stops down to the centimeter, the specific track layout and the planning of special structures such as bridges.

Agreement Ostast

At the end of 2021, the two districts of Forchheim and Erlangen-Höchstadt as well as the city of Erlangen concluded an agreement with us to resume planning for the so-called "Ostast". This provides for an extension of the Stadt-Umland-Bahn from Erlangen through the Schwabachtal via Neunkirchen am Brand to Eckental.

Start of planning approval process

The next major milestone is the so-called “Plan approval procedure”. This procedure is equivalent to a building application. The documents are expected to be submitted from 2025.

Start of construction

Construction of the section is scheduled to begin in mid-2028. The work will start at the Nuremberg stop “Am Wegfeld”.

Commissioning

The gradual commissioning of the StUB route is to begin at 2031.


Explore the route

The StUB will connect the cities of Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach and probably the villages east of Erlangen as a tram. Environmentally friendly. Handicapped-­accessible. Modern.

To the map

Current dates

We regularly organize different kind of events and we are also always on site at the planned route. Get in touch with us and get involved in our tram project Stadt-Umland-Bahn!

All dates

Contact us

Whether by telephone or e-mail – our employees will be happy to help you! A visit to our office in the city of Erlangen (Nürnberger Straße 69) is also possible at any time with prior notice.

To contact

 

 

Contact

09131 / 933 084 0 info@stadtumlandbahn.de