THE Berlin S-Bahn and German Rail (DB) launched the €30m S-Bahn Plus quality programme on July 18 to improve punctuality, quality and service in Berlin and Brandenburg state.

The programme includes upgrades to stations, the replacement of hundreds of safety and control systems, and the training of 100 additional drivers a year. DB says 50 employees have examined the complex operating procedures of the S-Bahn over the past few months and developed a programme consisting of around 180 components.

Improvements include the renewal of passenger information systems, expansion of predictive maintenance, modernisation and expansion of IT, energy supply, and network technology, and the procurement of new vehicles.

“Our goal is to bring our daily 1.4 million passengers reliably and punctually to their destination,” says Mr Peter Buchner, CEO of S-Bahn Berlin. “We are not always satisfied with our performance and have therefore put everything to the test again. The result is a comprehensive catalogue of measures that we expect to bring significant improvements in all areas.”

S-Bahn Berlin, DB Network, DB Station & Service and DB Energie are involved in the project, which should be completed by 2025.