Tramway network in Germany
The Bochum/Gelsenkirchen tramway network (German: Straßenbahnnetz Bochum/Gelsenkirchen) 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
As of December 2019[update], the following nine tram lines are operated exclusively by BOGESTRA:[1]
| Line
|
Route
|
Stations[1]
(underground)
|
Comments
|
| 301
|
Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bismarck – Buer – Horst
|
34
(7)
|
|
| 302
|
Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte - Langendreer S
|
44
(7)
|
|
| 305
|
Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte - Langendreer S
|
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
|
Witten Papenholz – Witten Rathaus – Heven Dorf
|
14
(0)
|
|
| 310
|
Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Langendreer S
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:[1]
| 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.
