Liechtenstein S-Bahn

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S-Bahn FL.A.CH project at a glance

The S-Bahn Liechtenstein project (previously called S-Bahn FL.A.CH or also S-Bahn FL-A-CH ) is a cross-border railway concept for the three Alpine countries of Liechtenstein , Austria and Switzerland . The project initiated by the Liechtenstein government project provides a train-like operating on the railway line Feldkirch - Buchs (Stage 1) and should be therefore a central link between the S-Bahn St. Gallen as well as the S-Bahn Vorarlberg represent. The official approval procedure for the Austrian part of the project was approved in 2015 with a positive EIA- Decision completed. The decision on the financing of the project, which in the affected states has to be clarified politically, is to be seen independently of this. In April 2014, the Liechtenstein government suspended all work on the FL.A.CH. First of all, disagreements with Austria on financial issues should be resolved.

On April 21, 2020, a working meeting between the government representatives of Austria and Liechtenstein decided to mutually sign a "declaration of intent on the realization of the Liechtenstein S-Bahn project". Two days later, the estimated costs and the cost allocation were announced. Accordingly, the costs for the infrastructure measures in Liechtenstein amount to 122.1 million francs, with the Principality taking on 66.5 million (54.5%) and the Republic of Austria 55.6 million (45.5%). This amount does not include the maintenance costs of the Schaan-Buchs railway-Rhine bridge and the railway canal bridges in Schaan. These structural changes and those in Austria are borne by the Republic of Austria alone. The estimated total costs amount to 197 million francs, of which 130.5 million francs are attributable to Austria. This results in an expense ratio of 66.25 percent for the Republic of Austria and 33.75 percent for the Principality of Liechtenstein in relation to the total costs. In a referendum in August 2020, however, the Liechtenstein population refused to take out a loan for the project, so that the financing and the entire implementation are now completely open again.

Today's operation

Special train ( Orient Express ) in Nendeln

The cross-border rail offer between Werdenberg, the Principality of Liechtenstein and Vorarlberg is only poorly developed today. On the Buchs - Feldkirch route, the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) serve three to nine pairs of regional trains every day, connecting Buchs SG, Schaan and Feldkirch only irregularly. The Schaan-Vaduz , Forst Hilti and Nendeln train stations are served according to the timetable, but not the Schaanwald stop .

The line is almost entirely single-track and the station infrastructure is out of date. The majority of public transport between these regions is provided by bus lines, but these are severely hindered at rush hour.

The majority of goods and passenger traffic between Austria and Switzerland use this route, so that it is hardly possible to expand regional traffic today. In the 2012 timetable, there were two pairs of EN trains ( Budapest Keleti pu. / Graz Hbf - Zurich HB uu) and five pairs of RJ trains Budapest Keleti pu. / Wien Westbahnhof - Salzburg Hbf - Innsbruck Hbf - Zurich HB .

Starting position

With the introduction of the Vorarlberg S-Bahn and the expansion of the railway services in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley - especially with the St. Gallen S-Bahn in 2013 - the Liechtenstein government felt compelled to expand the railway infrastructure in Liechtenstein as well. In addition, the concession to operate the railway line on Liechtenstein territory will expire in 2017 after a 40-year term. Accordingly, the Liechtenstein government started new negotiations with the ÖBB and also set conditions for the concession to be awarded.

Purpose and goals

Since the Second World War , Liechtenstein has developed from a poor farming state to one of the most industrialized countries in the world. At the same time, population growth and even stronger economic growth set in: while the number of inhabitants in 1970 was around 21,000, it had risen to over 36,000 by 2010. The number of jobs has increased from around 11,500 to around 34,000 in this period, more than tripling. As a result of this strong economic growth, more than half of all jobs in Liechtenstein are already occupied by cross-border commuters . This fact has led to massive traffic problems in the Liechtenstein area, particularly in recent years, so that the road infrastructure is increasingly reaching its limits.

In a report by the government to the state parliament on the S-Bahn FL.A.CH project, the most important objectives were set out: On the one hand, the establishment of attractive regional transport should enable the connection to the St. Gallen and Vorarlberg S-Bahn systems, and so on the international accessibility of Liechtenstein is improved. In addition, the increasing use of public transport is intended to reduce the burden of road traffic and thus strengthen the living and economic area of ​​Liechtenstein in the long term.

Project content first stage

The realization of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH is to take place in two stages: The first stage includes the actual Feldkirch – Buchs railway line. The second stage would include the expansion of the rail service beyond Buchs (towards Sargans or St. Gallen ) or Feldkirch (towards Bregenz or Bludenz ).

Rail offer

According to the planning reports, it is planned to expand the rail service in three steps after the necessary infrastructure expansions: In a first step, a continuous hourly service would be introduced with a half-hourly rate during rush hour. In a second step, this half-hourly cycle is to be extended so that in a third and final step, a continuous half-hourly cycle is created.

E.g. the
Buchs - Feldkirch timetable concept
St. Gallen from 15.39 17.26
Book 16.44 17.13
Exit Sargans 16.35 January 17
Book 16.45 17.12
Book off 16.48 17.18
Schaan 16.51 17.21
Schaan, Forst 16.53 17.23
Nendeln 16.56 17.26
Schaanwald 16.59 17.29
Tisis 02/17 17.32
Tosters 04/17 17.34
Gisingen 17.06 17.36
Altenstadt 08/17 17.38
Feldkirch 11/17 17.41
From Feldkirch 17.14 17.44
Bludenz 17.29 02/18
From Feldkirch 17.17 17.53
Bregenz on 17.48 18.19
E.g. the
Feldkirch - Buchs timetable concept
Bregenz from 11/16 16.40
Feldkirch 16.41 17.12
Exit Bludenz 16.30 17.00
Feldkirch 16.45 17.15
From Feldkirch 16.48 17.18
Altenstadt 16.50 17.20
Gisingen 16.52 17.22
Tosters 16.54 17.24
Tisis 16.57 17.27
Schaanwald January 17 17.31
Nendeln 17.03 17.33
Schaan, Forst 17.06 17.36
Schaan 17.09 17.39
Book 17.12 17.42
Book off 17.15 17.46
St. Gallen 18.20 18.34
Book off 17.15 17.48
Sargans on 17.25 18.29

According to the planning principles, the location of the regional trains should be such that direct connections in all directions are possible at both Buchs and Feldkirch stations (in Buchs from / to St. Gallen and from / to Sargans and in Feldkirch from / to Bregenz and from / to Bludenz ). Accordingly, the travel time in connection with the introduction of the St. Gallen S-Bahn in 2013 from Schaan station to Zurich would be reduced from 90 or 93 to 74 minutes today, or from 67 to 55 minutes to St. Gallen .

Travel time comparison a
route without S-Bahn FL.A.CH
or S-Bahn St. Gallen b 		with S-Bahn FL.A.CH
or S-Bahn St. Gallen		 Change in driving time
Schaan - Buchs 06 min 03 min - 03 min
Schaan - Sargans 29 min 16 min - 13 min
Schaan - St. Gallen 67 min 55 min - 12 min
Schaan - Zurich 93 min 74 min - 19 min
Schaan - Bregenz 65 min 57 min - 08 min
Nendeln - Sevelen 26 min c 18 min - 08 min
Nendeln - Walenstadt 47 min d 38 min - 09 min
Nendeln - Dornbirn 50 min e 40 min - 10 min
Schaanwald - Buchs 18 min 11 min - 07 min
Schaanwald - Bludenz 44 min 30 min - 14 min
Schaanwald - Chur 60 min 47 min - 13 min

Comments:
a Only regular connections are taken into account (at least hourly connections); Schaanwald: Waldstrasse bus stop; Nendeln: bus stop Sebastianstrasse; b without Liechtenstein clock; c only irregular; d only every two hours; e partly different connections

Infrastructure measures

In order to be able to realize the planned improvements in rail traffic, but also to meet today's customer demands, various extensions are planned.

Track expansion

For the planned expansion of the rail service, a two-track expansion (" double track ") between Nendeln and Tisis with a length of 4.6 kilometers is necessary. Accordingly, the long-distance trains Vienna – Zurich would cross at Nendeln and the regional trains at Schaanwald . At the same time, the existing railway technology (e.g. signal control, barrier control) is to be completely renewed.

As the first stage of the two-lane track expansion and accompanying measures, the Feldkirch section to the Liechtenstein border (Feldkirch- Tosters , rail kilometers 0.000 to 8.375 / ÖBB route 303) is currently the subject of an environmental impact assessment in Austria.

Railway stations or stops

Schaan-Vaduz train station
Already renewed rail infrastructure

The Schaan-Vaduz train station has the greatest potential for customers due to its location - especially for the numerous industrial companies in the community, but also as a transfer point to the various bus connections to Vaduz , Triesen , Balzers , Triesenberg and Planken . Accordingly, a final frequency of 1200 to 2000 people per working day is assumed.
A disabled-accessible platform with a length of 160 meters is planned, as well as a bike & ride facility with a total of 400 bicycle parking spaces. In the immediate vicinity of the train station, a central bus station with six bus stops and an underground car park with 145 parking spaces were built between 2004 and 2009, so that no further infrastructure measures are necessary to develop the train station.

Nendeln train station

When the station Nendeln comprehensive infrastructure measures are planned, it should also become a long-distance support. In the course of expanding the double lane, today's level crossing is to be lifted and the main road is to be relocated to the north and an underpass is to be provided. At the same time, this new road connection enables the Nendeln train station to be relocated to the previous level crossing, the construction of a Park & ​​Ride facility and an improvement in the bus connections to Eschen and Bendern . With the abolition of the so-called Engelkreuzung , the village center is also to be relieved of individual traffic and upgraded through design measures.

Schaanwald stop

The reception building of the Schaanwald stop dates from 1928 and has been a listed building since 1999. The station has not been served by trains since the 2012 timetable year; in the previous two timetable years, only one train stopped per day.
In connection with the S-Bahn FL.A.CH project, a new stop is to be created in the municipality's industrial area in order to tap into a greater customer potential and also to enable a better bus connection to Mauren / Schellenberg . The plan is to erect two 160-meter-long disabled-accessible platforms as well as a platform overpass and the like. a. with elevator.

Forst-Hilti stop
Forst-Hilti stop in Schaan, Liechtenstein

The Forst-Hilti stop (formerly Schaan / Forst) is also to be adapted to the latest customer requirements and primarily to  tap the potential of the Hilti AG headquarters . The construction of a 160 meter long platform and a bike & ride facility with over 120 bicycle parking spaces (especially for company bikes) is planned.

View of Feldkirch train station
Further stops / stations

The two exit stations in Buchs SG and Feldkirch have been comprehensively renovated in recent years. For example, at Buchs train station, disabled access, elevated platforms and new platform roofs have been created. The other stops, which are located on Austrian territory, should also be renewed as part of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH project. The construction of a stop in Tosters is also planned.

Level crossings

Nine level crossings are currently in operation in Liechtenstein . According to project reports, two of these level crossings are to be replaced by underpasses or overpasses, so that only one level crossing (side street in Nendeln) would remain in the area of ​​the double lane. For example, the construction of an underpass (including relocation) on the main road in Nendeln is one of the most cost-intensive construction projects of the entire project with around 17 million euros. A leveling of the two largest level crossings in the center of Schaan was also checked. However, due to the cramped conditions and the major encroachment on the landscape and townscape, this was not pursued further. Furthermore, due to the relatively low entry and exit speed of regional trains from Schaan station, no increased risk potential is seen. In addition, traffic simulations are said to have shown that a traffic collapse is not to be feared even with increasing individual traffic , especially because the closing time of a barrier on regional trains can be kept short.

Noise emissions

A noise register for the railway line in Liechtenstein was created as part of the approval process . These investigations have shown that in 2010 89 objects (built-up and undeveloped parcels) exceeded the immission limit value ( IGW) , but none of the so-called alarm value (AW) was exceeded.

In comparison, in Liechtenstein the immission limit value is exceeded in 1,100 buildings due to road traffic and the alarm value is even exceeded in 70 buildings. A new environmental protection law stipulates that the limit values ​​in rail traffic must be removed. Without implementation of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH project, this implementation would not have to take place until 2023 - if the project is implemented, however, the noise protection measures would have to be implemented immediately.

financing

The total costs for the planned project (stage 1) should amount to a total of 99 million euros - with investments in Liechtenstein being the most significant (over 90 million euros). This amount includes the technical expansion of the railway, noise protection measures, the leveling of level crossings, the expansion of stops and the necessary land purchase. In addition, a 25% risk provision is included.

After the planning was completed, negotiations were started between Liechtenstein and Austria in order to legally anchor the financing. In November 2012, the two countries agreed that Liechtenstein would bear around 45 million of the total costs - and thus half of the costs incurred in Liechtenstein itself.

In addition, it is expected that Switzerland will also contribute financially to Liechtenstein's share in connection with the Liechtenstein-Werdenberg agglomeration program.

The costs for the maintenance, reinvestment and operation of the rail infrastructure including stops would fall directly to the ÖBB if a license were awarded . Accordingly, Liechtenstein, along with the canton of St. Gallen and the state of Vorarlberg, would only have to share in the costs of transport services. According to the government's report and application from 2011, these annually recurring costs (running costs) should amount to CHF 1.5 to 2.0 million. In comparison, the expenses for the regular services of Liechtenstein Bus in 2011 amounted to around 19.5 million francs. With the partially similar routes of bus and train, it is also assumed that the introduction of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH will reduce the operating costs of public bus transport.

Expected consequences

Passenger numbers

Project S-Bahn FL.A.CH and possible bus connections in Liechtenstein

The number of jobs in the three Liechtenstein municipalities with a train station connection ( Schaan , Eschen and Mauren ) totaled around 14,700 in 2011 (of which approx. 8,600 cross-border commuters). Another 11,500 jobs could be developed with bus routes to Vaduz and Bendern / Gamprin .
As part of the planning of the expansion plans, the government examined the passenger potential of such an S-Bahn. In connection with the first expansion step (continuous hourly intervals and consolidation to half an hourly intervals during rush hour), a potential of around 2,300 to 3,100 people per day is assumed, who either get on or off in the Principality of Liechtenstein. With a continuous half-hourly cycle (target state 2025), these numbers should increase to 3,400 to 4,500.

By continuing the bus routes, but also by implementing further expansion steps in rail traffic, most of the municipalities of Liechtenstein and Werdenberg could be directly developed. So the station received Sevelen and the station Salez-Sennwald already in December 2013 by St. Gallen train hourly connections to / from St. Gallen or Sargans , which in addition to buses to Vaduz / Triesen or Ruggell / Schellenberg be developed could. Furthermore, a relocation of the Trübbach train station to the industrial area of ​​the municipality is being considered so that direct bus connections to Balzers would also be possible. A reactivation of the train station in Haag could also increase cross-border traffic to Bendern / Eschen .

The Liechtenstein government considers the increasing introduction of corporate mobility management to be an important incentive to get employees to switch from individual transport to public transport . ThyssenKrupp Presta in Eschen , for example, has around 1,500 employees in favor of future parking lot management.

Economic benefit

Studies of the macroeconomic benefits of the S-Bahn project for Liechtenstein are said to have shown that a S-Bahn FL.A.CH generates an economic impetus that in Liechtenstein leads to an annual growth in gross domestic product (GDP) of 20 million francs (or 0.4 %) should contribute. In addition, the project is expected to generate annual additional income of around CHF 600,000 through taxes and social security contributions. The cost / benefit ratio is 1.3, which is a high value (good cost / benefit ratio) compared to Swiss railway projects.

Continue

According to statements by the governments, the expansion of regional traffic on the Feldkirch - Buchs railway line could also prevent goods traffic from increasing significantly in the future: S-Bahn trains and express trains would take up a large part of the route capacity, so that only limited freight trains would be available could run.

Further development

Second stage S-Bahn FL.A.CH

The extension of the first stage of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH by a second stage is particularly considered by the communities of Werdenberg : With the S-Bahn St. Gallen 2013 project , Trübbach , Weite and Räfis-Burgerau lose their rail connection . In order to be able to restore such an offer, however, a double track section in the Buchs - Sevelen area is necessary. The canton of St. Gallen considers this expansion step to be expedient by 2018 - however, it should be implemented by 2025 at the latest.
A continuation of the S-Bahn FL.A.CH in the direction of St. Gallen or from Feldkirch to Bludenz or Bregenz could also be considered.

Feldkirch south entrance

Today's Buchs - Feldkirch railway line runs from Tisis in an almost circular route around the Ardetzenberg to Feldkirch station . With an underground route from Tisis, Feldkirch train station could be approached from the south, thus realizing significant travel time savings. In addition, the hairpin that is necessary today for a further journey from Buchs to Bregenz would be eliminated. In addition, further stops could be created (e.g. at the Feldkirch regional hospital ). A realization of this project before the year 2025 is not considered realistic.

Vision: Liechtenstein tram

Even before the Feldkirch - Buchs railway line was built in the 19th century, Liechtenstein endeavored to route the connecting line between Switzerland and Austria via the Liechtenstein Rhine Valley to Sargans. However, these requirements were not directly taken into account; instead, a compromise solution was found with today's lines. In the decades that followed, Liechtenstein endeavored to maintain a railway connection from Schaan via Vaduz to Balzers - but such a connection has not yet been implemented. Accordingly, efforts are still being made today to develop other communities in Liechtenstein directly through a rail link. For example, the Liechtenstein Transport Club (VCL) commissioned a study that would enable such a development. The idea of ​​a so-called tramway or tram-train is being examined in more detail, which could use both the standard gauge of the SBB and the ÖBB , but also its own routes. According to this study, the costs for around 30 kilometers of new line would amount to around CHF 350 to 450 million.

See also

Web links

  • Mobility Concept 2030. In: mobilitaet2030.li. Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein / Ministry of Infrastructure, Economy and Sport, accessed on June 1, 2020 . ´
  • Project S-Bahn FL-A-CH. (PDF, 981 kB) Information brochure from the Government of Liechtenstein. April 20, 2011, accessed April 23, 2020 .

Individual evidence

Basic project documents
A: Report and application no 101/2011 to the Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein . Retrieved April 23, 2020 (PDF, 4.93 MB).
  1. ↑ pp. 7-9
  2. ↑ pp. 9-11
  3. ↑ p. 39
  4. ↑ p. 39
  5. ↑ p. 40
  6. ↑ p. 41
  7. ↑ pp. 51-53
  8. ↑ pp. 48/49
  9. ↑ p. 45/46
  10. ↑ pp. 49-51
  11. ↑ p. 43
  12. ↑ p. 67
  13. ↑ p. 61/62
  14. ↑ pp. 62-64
  15. ↑ pp. 55-58
  16. ↑ p. 67
  17. ↑ P. 68/69
  18. ↑ P. 68/69
  19. ↑ p. 22
  20. ↑ p. 57
B: Project S-Bahn FL-A-CH . (PDF, 981 kB) Information brochure from the Government of Liechtenstein. April 20, 2011, accessed April 23, 2020 .
  1. ↑ p. 7
  2. ↑ p. 7
  3. ↑ p. 9
C: Synthesis report of the Werdenberg-Liechtenstein agglomeration program . (PDF, 14.5 MB) Study commissioned by the Werdenberg-Liechtenstein agglomeration association . March 23, 2011, accessed April 23, 2020 .
  1. ↑ p. 55
  2. ↑ pp. 8-10
  3. ↑ pp. 5-6
  4. ↑ p. 115
  5. ↑ p. 114
Other individual evidence
  1. ↑ a b “No” to the expansion of the Liechtenstein S-Bahn. In: vorarlberg.orf.at. ORF , August 30, 2020, accessed on August 30, 2020 .
  2. ↑ Shipwreck for Liechtenstein S-Bahn project? In: Swiss Railway Review . No. 5/2015. Minirex, ISSN  1022-7113 , p. 238
  3. ↑ a b Green light for the Liechtenstein S-Bahn. In: Volksblatt.li . April 21, 2020, accessed April 21, 2020 .
  4. ↑ The costs and their distribution. In: mobilitaet2030.li. Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein / Ministry of Infrastructure, Economy and Sport, accessed on June 1, 2020 .
  5. ↑ The cost key is: 66.5 million for S-Bahn. In: Liechtenstein Fatherland . April 24, 2020, accessed June 1, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Proposal for the referendum of August 30, 2020 (PDF) Accessed August 30, 2020 .
  7. ↑ LIEmobil : Regional train timetable Feldkirch – Schaan – Buchs (timetable year 2020). In: LIEmobil timetable book . December 15, 2019, accessed April 24, 2020 .
  8. ^ ÖBB : timetable picture 401 (timetable year 2020). In: ÖBB course book . December 15, 2019, accessed April 24, 2020 .
  9. ^ Employment statistics 2010. In: Office for Statistics. November 2, 2011, accessed April 29, 2020 .
  10. ↑ Liechtenstein traffic censuses ( memento of November 18, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Civil Engineering Office, accessed on April 29, 2020.
  11. ↑ Austrian Ministry of Transport : Edict on the project “S-Bahn FL.A.CH .; Feldkirch - Buchs (SG) line; Section Feldkirch State Border at Tosters ”. (PDF, 250 kB) (GZ.BMVIT-820.371 / 0009-IV / SCH2 / 2014). June 16, 2014, accessed April 23, 2020 .
  12. ↑ New Bus Station Schaan ( Memento from November 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ), Office for Construction and Infrastructure, accessed on April 24, 2020.
  13. ^ ÖBB Infra : S-Bahn FL.A.CH submission project (Ortho plan). (PDF, 5.31 MB) April 2012, accessed April 23, 2020 .
  14. ^ Renovation of Buchs station , JSAG, accessed on August 26, 2013.
  15. ↑ railway noise Kaster ( Memento of 15 November 2012 at the Internet Archive ), Environmental Protection Office, accessed on April 24, 2020
  16. ↑ Road noise register ( Memento from November 15, 2012 in the Internet Archive ), Office for Environmental Protection, accessed on April 20, 2020.
  17. ↑ Liechtenstein pays 45 million euros for the S-Bahn. In: Liechtenstein Fatherland . November 23, 2012, accessed April 23, 2020 .
  18. ^ Minutes of the state parliament of December 21, 2012. (PDF, 293 kB) Small inquiries. P. 2735 , accessed April 30, 2020 .
  19. ↑ Liechtenstein Bus 2011 Annual Report (PDF, 5.03 MB) February 22, 2012, p. 38 , accessed on April 23, 2020 .
  20. ↑ a b Employment Statistics 2011. In: Office for Statistics. October 31, 2012, p. 11 , accessed April 29, 2020 .
  21. ^ Trübbach train station - relocation (PDF; 333 kB), p. 1, Wartau municipality, accessed on April 25, 2020.
  22. ↑ Environmental impact assessment of the Thyssenkrupp Presta multi-storey car park ( Memento from November 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF file; 6.36 MB), p. 11, accessed on April 24, 2020.
  23. ↑ Financing and macroeconomic benefits ( memento of November 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ), government press release, November 23, 2012, accessed on April 29, 2020.
  24. ^ S-Bahn FL.A.CH ( Memento from June 4, 2012 in the Internet Archive ), Canton St. Gallen, November 23, 2012, accessed on April 24, 2020.
  25. ^ "Traffic planning Feldkirch Süd" is making progress. (PDF, 3.73 MB) In: Feldkirch aktuell. October 2008, p. 17 , accessed April 24, 2020 .
  26. ^ Lothar Beer: Railway. In: Historical Lexicon of the Principality of Liechtenstein . December 31, 2011 , accessed April 29, 2020 . or in the printed work Volume A, p. 175f.
  27. ↑ A tram for Liechtenstein and the region. (PDF, 2.7 MB) Study on behalf of the Liechtenstein Transport Club (VCL). January 2003, p. 28 , accessed April 24, 2020 .