Primarily about the former 'dual-mode-bus' demonstration system in Essen, Germany, this film shows the full extent of tunnel operations where the buses (operating in OBahn / 'kerb guided' mode and as 'electric trolleybuses) shared tunnels with the trams (streetcars in American).
After several trial sections of O-Bahn / 'kerb guided busway' located in suburban districts of Essen had proven the concepts to be viable Phase 1 of the joint tunnel operations saw buses extended through the existing Porscheplatz station.
Phase 2 saw a new extension of the tunnel being built which from the outset was fitted out for shared use by buses and trams (streetcars). This included two more subterranean stations for which the buses (and some older trams) needed passenger doors fitting on the other side. The buses were designed for this possibility when they were first built.
Whilst shared operations did work there were technical issues which could have been resolved except that with German reunification and the ending of funding for the 'dual-mode-bus'
demonstration project it was decided that due to the lack of finance it would be best to stop the buses using the tunnels.
This video includes all 3 underground stations as well as the new station at the new entrance / exit ramp, although due to lack of time on the only visit when the buses were actually using the extension (3 visits, but only 1 where the buses were using the new section) so buses are not seen using the station on the tunnel ramp.
More information on Essen's 'dual-mode-bus' demonstration project and the OBahn / kerb guided busway in general can be found here: citytransport.info/OBahn.htm
22 июл 2009
