H-Bahn: Funding for Extension to U42 Tram Secured
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The H-Bahn expansion is expected to play a significant role in sustainably strengthening public transportation and promoting climate-friendly mobility. That is why the NRW Ministry of Transport had already provided over 700,000 euros for planning services for two expansion projects back in 2021. In early 2023, two traffic studies were able to confirm that the planned route extensions of the H-Bahn are economically viable. This also included the extension from the campus to the U42 tram in Barop. The connection to the U42 is expected to significantly relieve bus connections and the S-Bahn line S1 between TU Dortmund University and the city center. In January 2025, the state parliament’s transport committee included this connection to the U42 in the public transport demand plan, securing funding: public funds from the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG) can now cover up to 95 percent of the total costs of around 39 million euros.
Examination of two possible routes
Initially, the construction of a test track is planned, which could begin as early as 2027 in the best-case scenario. Two routes are available for selection: one variant runs along Emil-Figge-Straße and another from the S-Bahn stop “DO-Universität S” across the fields in the “An der Geist”/“Am Waarbaum” area to the “Ortsmühle” student dormitory. According to Dortmunder Stadtwerke (DSW21), the latter option offers the advantage of potentially adding another branch to the U42 “Barop Parkhaus” stop at a later stage. In terms of travel time and construction costs, it also offers advantages. Further important decision aids include an environmental impact study and a species protection assessment, the results of which are expected in early 2026. Once the route has been determined, design planning and planning approval procedure will follow. The commissioning of the entire two-kilometer expansion to the “Theodor Fliedner-Heim” stop is expected 2029 at the earliest.
New automation system needed
Another prerequisite for the expansion plans is the commissioning of a new automation system, which is to be tested on the test track. The new system is to integrate all functions of train safety, autonomous driving, interlocking, and control. DSW21 plans to develop it based on an existing system that is currently used for the control and operation of S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains.
About the H-Bahn
The Dortmund large-cabin suspension railway was the first driverless fully automatic transportation system in Germany to meet all legal standards when it was launched in 1984. Since its commissioning, the H-Bahn has covered more than 5 million kilometers and transported almost 40 million passengers emission-free. The operating company H-BAHN21 is to be integrated into the parent company DSW21 in the summer of 2025 to create an appropriate legal and corporate framework for the planned expansion project.
