In the district of Ludwigsburg, the Lucie light rail system is already well underway: the preliminary planning as the basis for the cost-benefit analysis is in progress and public participation has begun. The study, which has already been approved by the members of the AUT in the Ludwigsburg district, is to investigate whether an extension of the light rail to Waiblingen is sensible and economical. "There are strong commuter links between the Ludwigsburg and Rems-Murr districts. The desire for an efficient rail connection is therefore obvious and was articulated early on," explains Ludwigsburg District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier. In terms of local public transport, Waiblingen and Ludwigsburg are currently only directly connected by an hourly express bus service; the majority of commuters therefore have to take a detour via Stuttgart on the S-Bahn. "The desire for an efficient rail connection is obvious," says Allgaier.
General conditions have changed - better cost-benefit factor expected
The possibility of a light rail line on the Ludwigsburg-Waiblingen axis was investigated back in 2006 and 2008 - but without a positive cost-benefit factor. The topic was therefore postponed. In the meantime, the framework conditions have changed. For example, the decision to build the western bypass for Remseck-Neckargröningen will free up the L 1140 bridge in Remseck (Neue Mitte) from car traffic and could probably be used for a light rail system. This would lead to considerable cost savings. In addition, more and more potential commuters live along the planned route. This means that more passengers are likely to use the light rail system.
Federal Ministry of Transport has changed criteria
When evaluating new rail projects, the Federal Ministry of Transport now also takes into account components such as land consumption and CO2 emissions. This significantly improves the cost-benefit result. At the same time, the hurdle for the eligibility of new infrastructure projects has been lowered. "These changes to the framework conditions lead us to expect that a new assessment of a light rail extension from Ludwigsburg-Oßweil to Waiblingen will result in a better cost-benefit ratio," continued District Administrator Allgaier. The federal and state funding bodies would give new rail projects a boost by making the current funding rates more investment-friendly.
District Administrator Dr. Richard Sigel from the Rems-Murr district welcomed the positive vote from Ludwigsburg: "Strengthening local public transport is also a major concern for the Rems-Murr district. We have already had good experience with the S4 between Backnang-Marbach-Ludwigsburg. A direct connection between the Rems-Murr district and Ludwigsburg could be a further building block in making local public transport more attractive and encouraging people to switch from car to train. The feasibility study is a first step in this direction."
The Mayor of Ludwigsburg, Matthias Knecht, who is a member of the Ludwigsburg district light rail association, also supports the feasibility study: "Ludwigsburg is very attractive and suffers from traffic congestion at many events, especially during events at the Blühendes Barock and in the city center. Anything that improves the city's accessibility by public transport helps us. We are therefore very interested in the results of the feasibility study. However, the main question will be whether the extension can be financed in these difficult times."
The heads of the towns of Waiblingen and Remseck also see benefits for their citizens: "Stronger links between the economically strong areas of Waiblingen and Ludwigsburg are a long-held wish. I am convinced that the feasibility study will succeed in demonstrating the great advantages this will have for the many commuter connections. This major infrastructure measure could significantly strengthen our joint business location. We must seize this opportunity," says Waiblingen's Lord Mayor Sebastian Wolf.
And Remseck's Lord Mayor Dirk Schönberger says: "A rail connection from Ludwigsburg via Remseck am Neckar onwards to Waiblingen would be a gain for the entire Stuttgart region. After all, it is precisely these cross-rail connections in the north-eastern area of Stuttgart that also serve to relieve the main lines in the Stuttgart basin. I am therefore delighted that the feasibility study is being supported by the district's AUT."
Rough route, costs, passenger flows and economic viability are being examined
If the Rems-Murr district gives the final go-ahead for the financing of the feasibility study, a rough planning of the route will be examined over the next 18 to 24 months. An estimate of the investment and operating costs will also be made. In addition, the experts will determine passenger flows and the economic viability of the possible extension.
