S-Bahn: Planning status

Even today, the S-Bahn is already reaching its capacity limits in the city centre with just one main line. The second S-Bahn main line will create additional capacity, relieve pressure on the existing system and eliminate bottlenecks. The second main line will enable journey times on the S-Bahn network to be reduced and services to be increased on many routes. It will also provide a bypass in the event of disruptions on the existing main line.

To relieve pressure on the existing main line, a second main line is being built over a distance of around ten kilometres between Laim station in the west and Leuchtenbergring station in the east. The centrepiece is a seven-kilometre-long tunnel connecting the Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof stations.

Coming from Laim, the tunnel disappears underground shortly before the Donnersbergerbrücke and re-emerges between Ostbahnhof and Leuchtenbergring. Due to fire and disaster safety regulations, the two new tracks will run in separate tubes. The total length of the two tunnel tubes is therefore around 14 kilometres.

Three stations – shorter journey times

The second main line tunnel will have three new underground stations at Hauptbahnhof, Marienhof and Ostbahnhof. As several underground lines have to be crossed, the stations are located at a depth of around 40 metres. Passengers can quickly and comfortably navigate the differences in level using lifts and escalators. Underground cross-passages are being built to connect to the underground and existing S-Bahn stations.

With just three stations, the new main line will significantly reduce journey times. The introduction of an express S-Bahn system will result in attractive journey times between the surrounding areas and the city.

The route of the second main line in detail

The new main line begins east of Laim station with two so-called overpass structures, which allow the two new tracks to branch off optimally from the existing main line. It initially runs on the north side of the existing tracks. The line crosses the freight tracks from Laim marshalling yard to the Südring and then passes under the Friedenheimer Bridge.

The western portal of the new main line tunnel is located approximately 300 metres before the Donnersbergerbrücke. Up to the first underground station at the Hauptbahnhof, the new main line passes under the old one and switches to its southern side. The new station is located at a depth of around 40 metres, centrally beneath the main station, and will include access points to the main concourse. Furthermore, the new station for the planned U9 line has been taken into account in the design.

To the east of the main station, the new main line first passes beneath the U1 and U2 underground lines and then the existing main line. From there, it runs to the north of the latter. At Karlsplatz (Stachus), it crosses the U4 and U5 underground lines at a lower level, passes the Frauenkirche at a depth of more than 30 metres and reaches the second underground station at Marienhof. This is located beneath the U3 and U6 underground tunnels. The entrances to the new station are situated behind the town hall at Marienhof.

Further along, the route runs eastwards beneath Maximilianstraße and crosses under the River Isar at the Maximilianeum. A junction beneath the Maximiliansanlagen towards München-Giesing is already being constructed as part of the second main line tunnel. This will enable S-Bahn lines coming from the south to be routed into the second main line in future as well. In a sweeping southern curve, the route then approaches the railway line between Ostbahnhof and Leuchtenbergring. The third underground station, Ostbahnhof, is being built at the entrance to the Werksviertel.

Everything comes together again at Leuchtenbergring. From here, the new main line tunnel approaches the surface. The eastern portal is located north-east of Haidenauplatz. At Leuchtenbergring station, the new main line will be reconnected to the existing main line. To this end, the tracks will be rearranged.

Information centre with multimedia exhibition at Marienhof

In April 2017, a central information centre with a multimedia exhibition was opened at Marienhof to mark the official start of construction of the second main line.

New Munich Central Station

The Bavarian capital is to be given a new main station that fully meets the requirements of a functional, modern and prestigious gateway to the city of Munich. As part of this, the station building, the Starnberg wing station and the forecourts will be redesigned.

Today, around 413,000 passengers and visitors use the station daily, which is now showing its age. The construction of the new station building will enhance its appeal and offer urban planning and economic opportunities for the development of the station and its surroundings. In addition to the striking architecture of the building, attractive forecourts, a greater number of car and bicycle parking spaces, and improved traffic management will characterise the new Munich Central Station. Particular emphasis is also being placed on a resource-efficient energy concept and comprehensive accessibility in the new building. Deutsche Bahn, the project lead, is implementing the project in collaboration with the City of Munich and other stakeholders.

The station building

The new, fully glazed entrance hall of the station building will in future offer travellers and visitors an unobstructed view towards the Old Town. The new premises provide ample space for Deutsche Bahn facilities, retail outlets, catering, as well as conference, event and office areas. Services such as DB Information are clearly visible in prominent locations.

Quiet zones within the station offer waiting passengers a place to retreat. An improved wayfinding system ensures clear orientation and optimally directs the main flow of passengers and visitors.

The two underground levels provide space for around 200 car parking spaces and over 500 bicycle parking spaces. Accessibility around the station is being improved, including through faster connections to buses, trams and taxis, a clearer route for motorists, and improved parking facilities for bicycles.

The Starnberg wing station

In addition to the new station building, the Starnberg wing station is also to be given a modern look that blends architecturally into the overall appearance of the new main station. The planned building consists of a seven-storey base structure with a 20-storey high point, as well as the Arnulfstraße wing. The lower levels of the base structure will be used primarily for retail, catering and rail-specific services, whilst the upper floors will house offices. The Arnulfstraße wing will also be used for offices and bicycle parking.

The forecourts

The City of Munich will redesign the eastern station square. In future, the station entrance from Schützenstraße is to be made more accessible. The northern forecourt in front of the Starnberg wing station and the southern forecourt on Bayerstraße will also be redesigned. Taxi and bicycle parking spaces are firmly planned as part of this. In addition, there are plans to upgrade the tram and bus stops in order to expand the network as a whole in a future-proof manner.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Bavarian State Ministry of Housing, Construction and Transport have developed the “Strong Munich S-Bahn – Programme 14plus” initiative, with investments totalling over 1.5 billion euros. The aim is to significantly strengthen the Munich S-Bahn network even before the second S-Bahn trunk line comes into service. The initiative consists of three pillars:

1. Quality initiative
2. Munich Digital Hub
3. Programme 14plus

The Free State of Bavaria is providing financial support for the “Programme 14plus” pillar.

Initial improvements have already been implemented, including 20-minute intervals to the S-Bahn line termini (where infrastructure permits) from Monday to Friday since the timetable change in December 2022, as well as the introduction of the ET 424 series from Hanover in December 2023. Further measures are being actively pursued, including network expansion measures for the second main line and the electronic signal box at Ostbahnhof.

Expansion of the Steinhausen depot and additional S-Bahn depot in Pasing

At the Munich-Steinhausen depot, the expanded stabling facility was commissioned at Easter 2020 to create additional stabling capacity for S-Bahn trains, enable more flexible operations and achieve quality improvements. Among other things, this required the S8 tracks on the Leuchtenbergring–Daglfing section to be realigned. The construction of a new electronic signal box for the Steinhausen depot is expected to improve operational processes.

With the commissioning of the second main line, significantly more S-Bahn rolling stock will be required. The S-Bahn fleet must therefore expand accordingly; the first new vehicles are scheduled to enter service from the late 2020s. To ensure continued reliable and rapid maintenance, two new depots are to be built in the coming years in the east (Steinhausen) and west (Pasing/Langwied) of Munich, i.e. at both ends of the main line. The depots will also be able to clean, service and maintain the 90 new S-Bahn trains, each over 200 metres long, which Munich S-Bahn is currently procuring. In addition, further stabling and turning facilities are being created in the immediate vicinity of the S-Bahn depots.

Markt Schwaben station

As part of the ABS 38 rail project, which involves the double-tracking and electrification of the railway line from Markt Schwaben via Mühldorf to Freilassing, Markt Schwaben station is also being upgraded to be barrier-free. To this end, Deutsche Bahn (DB), the Free State of Bavaria, the district of Ebersberg and the market town of Markt Schwaben have agreed on a two-stage approach:

Stage 1:
By the end of 2028, DB InfraGO will construct a new passenger underpass with lifts to all platforms to ensure step-free access to the existing platforms on tracks 1 to 4. In parallel, as a measure to supplement the network for the second S-Bahn trunk line, an additional platform will be built on Track 5.

Phase 2:
In the second step, as part of the final expansion of ABS 38, Deutsche Bahn will adjust the height and length of all platforms to meet requirements, thereby enabling continuous, barrier-free access for rail passengers. Further measures in the eastern part of the station as part of the double-track expansion of the line to Mühldorf will not affect the station’s accessibility.

Sendlinger Spange – Construction Phase 1

As part of the Sendlinger Spange project, the Munich-Heimeranplatz West station (currently platform 11) will be expanded into a junction station by adding a further track. In addition, a new connecting link will be created from the Munich-Laim marshalling yard to the correct-side S-Bahn track between Munich-Laim Passenger Station and Munich-Pasing (line 5540). Due to its dependence on the major Second Main Line project, DB, the project manager, is aiming to commission the Laim connecting line in 2025.

Weßling turning track

At Weßling station, a track layout adjustment and the construction of a new turning track to the west are planned. This will enable S-Bahn trains to start, terminate and turn in future, allowing for an improved service.

A separate project also provides for the barrier-free refurbishment of the station. The aim is to implement both measures by 2025, subject to the completion of the ongoing planning approval process.

Connection to the BMW Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) via the Nordring

The north of Munich is to be made even more accessible by public transport. Additional shuttle trains are planned from Karlsfeld (possibly starting from Dachau) via the DB Nordring to the BMW Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ) and, optionally, to the Euro-Industriepark (with a connection to the planned Tram 23). DB, the project manager, is currently carrying out the necessary planning.

Platform crossing at Munich Central Station

A pedestrian bridge is to connect the platforms on Track 11 with the platform on Track 26 and link all the platforms in between. This is a federal project; preliminary planning began in 2023.

Rail expansion in the Munich region

The Munich metropolitan region is a dynamically growing residential and economic area. Over 800,000 passengers use the Munich S-Bahn every day – four times as many as originally planned at the time of its opening in 1972. This poses major challenges for the state capital’s infrastructure, which can only be overcome through additional investment.

This situation calls for further planning to modernise and expand the railway infrastructure in Munich and the metropolitan region. This is being carried out as part of the ‘Railway Expansion in the Munich Region’ programme initiated by the Free State of Bavaria, which has been coordinated with Deutsche Bahn (DB).

The Munich rail hub is to be comprehensively modernised and designed to be highly efficient. As part of a large number of individual projects, the rail infrastructure around the Bavarian capital is being adapted as a whole to the requirements of modern rail transport and an environmentally sound approach to mobility. 29 projects are already being implemented (R measures), whilst others are currently under review for their transport and economic viability as well as their structural feasibility (44 U measures), some of which are already in the planning phase.

The centrepiece of the rail expansion in the Munich region is the second main line. It is a prerequisite for a better and more direct connection between the region and Munich city centre, the all-day 15-minute basic service interval, and the introduction of regional and express S-Bahn services. This will also enable faster and more direct access to the city centre from more distant parts of the region. Examples of this include the regional S-Bahn services from Landshut, Augsburg and Buchloe, which are planned to commence with the opening of the second main line.

Airport connections

As part of the ‘Rail Expansion in the Munich Region’ programme, further improvements to rail connections to the airport are being investigated.

Within the scope of its remit, the Free State of Bavaria is committed to further advancing the airport’s inter-regional rail connections and consistently pressing the responsible authorities to deliver on this. An expert recommendation for a four-stage concept published in 2022 outlines possible improvements depending on the necessary infrastructure development. In this context, the Free State welcomes the announcements by DB Fernverkehr to connect Munich Airport directly with long-distance trains once the relevant conditions are met.

The Free State has already made an advance investment in the expert studies and will continue to press the federal government for the inter-regional rail connection to Munich Airport on this concrete basis.

Munich Airport – Schwaigerloh

To the east of the airport, the Schwaigerloh turning facility is planned, featuring up to four independently accessible turning tracks. In addition, the new Schwaigerloh transport station will be constructed. Commissioning will take place in two phases. The Munich Airport – Schwaigerloh line, including the station and a double-track turning and stabling facility, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025, although this is a very ambitious target. Construction of the four-track turning and stabling facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Expansion of the Munich Airport West junction

To the west of the airport, the Munich Airport West junction is being upgraded to a grade-separated junction. The aim of the project is to introduce bidirectional services between the Munich Airport West junction and the airport terminal, as well as to enable simultaneous journeys from the airport towards Ismaning (S8) and from Freising or Neufahrn bei Freising to the airport (S1 / interregional Airport Express RE22).

The infrastructure improvements will be carried out in two construction phases. By the end of 2025, the signalling and safety systems are to be modernised and a new electronic signal box at the airport is to be put into operation. By the end of 2028, the current at-grade junction of the S1 into the S8 is to be replaced by a tunnel-like structure.

On the section of line to Hallbergmoos (line 5556), an additional set of points is planned south of the overpass.

The construction of the new railway line between Munich Airport and the town of Erding (Erding ring closure) and the construction of the Walpertskirchen link between Erding and Obergeislbach (integration into the Munich–Mühldorf line) are intended to ensure that the airport can be reached directly, comfortably and more quickly from all directions, particularly from south-east Bavaria and Austria.

Elimination of bottlenecks

A key objective for all stakeholders in rail transport – particularly with regard to local passenger rail services – is the elimination of bottlenecks in the rail network. Numerous sections of the network are to be upgraded to better separate local and long-distance services, create additional passing loops and transfer links, and provide alternative routes in the event of disruptions. This will lay the foundations for more robust, resilient and flexible operations management, which will have a positive impact on punctuality and quality metrics.

Examples of bottleneck removal include the planned four-track expansion of the Munich-Pasing – Fürstenfeldbruck line, additional infrastructure such as signals and points on the Lohhof – Freising and Pasing – Starnberg sections, and double-track expansions on feeder lines to Munich, for example in the Werdenfels area.

Network expansion

To further expand Munich’s rail network, new stations are being built and direct connections established. Plans include a new regional train stop on Poccistraße in Munich. In addition, the S7 line is to be extended from Wolfratshausen to Geretsried-Süd. With the completion of the Erdinger Ring and the Walpertskirchen link, direct connections to the airport – particularly from south-east Bavaria and Austria – will be further improved in the long term.

Primarily for freight transport, two new connecting curves are planned in the east of Munich. The Daglfinger Kurve will in future enable a direct connection from and to the Munich Nordring and Munich Nord marshalling yard to the Munich–Mühldorf line, with a link to the Munich-Riem marshalling yard and on towards the Bavarian Chemical Triangle. The Trudering curve will link the lines to and from Rosenheim and to and from Mühldorf. The Daglfing–Trudering line, which is currently single-track, is to be upgraded to double track, primarily to improve the handling of freight traffic.

Station modernisation

With financial support from the Free State of Bavaria, DB InfraGO AG is continuously modernising transport stations in the Munich metropolitan region. This includes, among other things, modern train information screens that improve visual passenger information. All S-Bahn stations now feature visual passenger information in addition to audio announcements.

To enhance comfort for commuters and travellers, the underground stations in Munich in particular are being modernised and revitalised. These include Munich Central Station, Karlsplatz (Stachus), Marienplatz, Isartor, Rosenheimer Platz, Unterföhring, Ismaning and Munich Airport. The aim is to create a modern and inviting appearance for the central access points to the S-Bahn. Among other things, ceilings are being redesigned and platform facilities (lighting, tactile guidance systems for the visually impaired, seating, etc.) are being renewed.

Upgrading of access lines

The expansion of feeder lines improves access to destinations served by regional and long-distance services. Once the work is complete, passengers and freight can be transported more quickly within Germany and to other European countries. For instance, the Munich–Mühldorf–Freilassing line (ABS 38) is being upgraded and electrified in sections, and the Brenner North Feeder Line is currently being planned as a federal project. Furthermore, there are plans to connect Munich Airport directly to the ICE network in the future. A potential new line between Munich and Ingolstadt/Freising could also relieve pressure on existing lines via Petershausen, Dachau and Neufahrn bei Freising.

Rail Expansion Programme for the Munich Region

The rail expansion programme for the Munich metropolitan area currently comprises around 50 measures. Deutsche Bahn (DB) is responsible for the expansion of the infrastructure.

The following projects have already been completed (in chronological order):

• Upgrading and electrification of the Dachau–Altomünster line
• Neufahrner curve
• Expansion of the S-Bahn maintenance depot in Steinhausen
• Platform on Track 1 in Fürstenfeldbruck
• Accessibility improvements at 19 S-Bahn stations
  (of which 15 stations were completed by the end of 2023; four stations are due for completion by the end of 2026 as part of the network expansion measures for the second main line)

The following projects are currently under construction or in the planning stage:

• Second main line
• Additional platform in Markt Schwaben
• Extension from the airport to Schwaigerloh
• Accessibility improvements at Puchheim
• Airport West junction
• Turning loop in Weßling
• Sendlinger Spange
• Second track between Steinebach and Seefeld-Hechendorf
• Second track in the St. Koloman area
• Closing the gap between the airport and Erding
• ABS 38 Markt Schwaben – Mühldorf – Freilassing
• Train control system at Pasing West
• Upgrade of Westkreuz junction
• Reduced journey time to the airport
• S7 extension to Geretsried South
• Walpertskirchen link
• New terminal building at Munich Central Station
• Extension of the S4 line between Pasing and Eichenau
• Extension of the Daglfing – Johanneskirchen line

The Free State of Bavaria and DB are currently establishing the planning requirements for the following projects:

• Platform upgrades for regional S-Bahn services
• Electrification of the Ebersberg – Wasserburg line
• Construction of a new platform crossing at Munich Central Station
• Regional train stop at Poccistraße

Barrier-free access is being implemented at the following stations:

• Lohhof, Unterschleißheim, Buchenau, Gilching-Argelsried, Stockdorf, Höllriegelskreuth,
  Munich Isartor, Munich Perlach, Munich St. Martin-Straße, Munich-Riem,
  Feldkirchen, Heimstetten, Poing, Markt Schwaben, Weßling, Steinebach,
  Munich-Leuchtenbergring, St. Koloman and Aufhausen

Barrier-free upgrades are also planned for the following stations:

• Altenerding, Hörlkofen, Walpertskirchen, Thann-Matzbach, Dorfen, Daglfing,
  Englschalking, Johanneskirchen, Leienfelsstraße, Aubing, Eichenau,
  Erding and Ebenhausen-Schäftlarn

Full details of all development projects in Munich and the surrounding area can be found at:
www.bahnausbau-muenchen.de