The Bochum/Gelsenkirchen tramway network () is a network of tramways focused on Bochum and Gelsenkirchen, two cities in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Opened in 1894 in Bochum and in 1895 in Gelsenkirchen, the network is operated by the Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen AG (BOGESTRA), and integrated in the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR). It also serves the neighbouring towns of Hattingen, Herne and Witten.
Lines , the following nine tram lines are operated exclusively by BOGESTRA:
Line Route Stations (underground) Comments Map 301 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bismarck – Buer – Horst 34(7) 302 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte (– O-Werk) – Langendreer Bf 44(7)Normally every second train terminates via the new connection to O-Werk, the others continue to Langendreer 305 Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte – Langendreer Bf 25(4) 306 Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Bochum Hbf 21(1) Also operates as a Night Express. 308 Bochum-Gerthe Schürbankstraße – Bochum Hbf – Weitmar – Linden – Hattingen Mitte 38(4) 309 Langendreer Bf – Witten Papenholz – Witten Rathaus – Heven Dorf 14(0) 310 Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Langendreer Markt – Witten Papenholz – Witten Rathaus – Heven Dorf 39(4) 316 Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Bochum Hbf – Bochum-Gerthe Heinrichstraße 31(2) 318 Bochum-Gerthe Schürbankstraße – Bochum Hbf – Weitmar – Linden – Dahlhausen Bf. 32(4) Also operates as a Night Express.
In addition, a tenth tram line serves the BOGESTRA region:
Line Route Stations Comments 107 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Feldmark – Trabrennbahn – Essen-Katernberg – Zeche Zollverein – Essen Hbf – Bredeney 34 Operated by Ruhrbahn for most of the week. Only 11 stations in BOGESTRA area.
This line, which is operated by the Ruhrbahn for most of the week, has its northernmost 11 stations in the BOGESTRA transit area. Early on Saturday mornings, it is operated by BOGESTRA, and runs between Gelsenkirchen Hbf and Trabrennbahn only.
Rolling stock The tram network currently operates a fleet of 95 Variobahn trams (by Stadler Rail). The type NF6D (made by DÜWAG and similar to the R1.1 cars of Bonn tramway's system) and type M high-floor articulated trams (also from DÜWAG) have been retired by 2021 and were replaced by the Variobahns.
The Stadtbahn line uses a separate fleet of high-floor Stadtbahnwagen B and Tango trains. It is not connected to the low-floor network and therefore trams on one system cannot operate on the other.
See also Bochum Stadtbahn Trams in Germany List of town tramway systems in Germany Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr
References
Inline references
Bibliography
External links
BOGESTRA Homepage Track plan of the Bochum/Gelsenkirchen tram system