The Kieferngarten underground station marked the northern end of the first underground line in 1971.
The first underground line – already named U6 – ran from Kieferngarten via Münchner Freiheit and Marienplatz to Goetheplatz, comprised 13 stations and was twelve kilometers long. Today the network extends over 100 underground stations and 95 kilometers of route. In normal times, the underground transports more than a million people a day or around 440 million passengers a year.
Dieter Reiter, Mayor of Munich: “Munich without the subway? Inconceivably! The subway is the most powerful public transport system and in its 50 years of operation has proven itself to be the backbone of our local transport system. “
“The forward-looking transport policy for which Dr. Hans-Jochen Vogel, as mayor, set the course at an early stage, we will continue. In June the city council launched the ‘Mobility Strategy 2035’. By 2025, at least 80 percent of traffic in Munich’s urban area is to be covered by emission-free vehicles, local public transport, as well as walking and cycling. And traffic should be climate neutral by 2035. The city is planning massive investments for this – including in new underground lines – but here it is crucially dependent on the financial support of the federal and state governments, ”added Reiter.
Kerstin Schreyer, Bavarian State Minister for Housing, Building and Transport: “The subway is an extremely important component in the Munich transport mix! We need tailor-made solutions to meet people’s different needs and we want even more people to switch to local public transport. That is why the underground must remain efficient and attractive in the future. The Free State will actively help and continue to support the operation and further development of the subway network with funds. “
Ingo Wortmann, CEO of MVG: “The Munich subway is a real success story. Today, the subway is by far the most popular form of public transport in the city and the backbone of public transport. Since the opening of the first section between Kieferngarten and Goetheplatz 50 years ago, a further 83 kilometers of underground and 87 underground stations have been put into operation. ”
“Munich continues to grow. In addition, there are clear nationwide CO2 reduction targets for the transport sector within the framework of obligations under international law. For this reason, the range of services offered by the underground, which incidentally is operated entirely with electricity generated from renewable sources, must be expanded further, ”continued Wortmann.
A first step in the expansion is the postponement of the frequency increase of the U4 due to the corona pandemic. From now on, this line will run again every five minutes during rush hour to Theresienwiese and every ten minutes to Westendstrasse. In combination with the U5, there is a 3 1/3-minute cycle between Theresienwiese and Westendstraße. Further intervals are planned: a five-minute cycle is planned on all lines Monday to Friday, and even a two-minute cycle on the main routes.
Wortmann: “In addition to the availability of sufficient financial resources for the operation and the investments, the introduction of a new train protection system and the expansion of the Neuperlach parking facility into a depot is necessary. Both are investments in the three-digit million range. That still has to be mastered. “
In addition to the expansion of existing routes, new routes are in preparation: the routes to Martinsried and Pasing are advanced in planning. The U9 between Implerstraße and Schwabing is in the preliminary planning phase. As a result of the present forecast calculations, this line will significantly relieve the existing inner-city routes and stations.
Wortmann: “In order to be implemented, it is a prerequisite that the measure is eligible and co-financed by the federal government and the Free State of Bavaria. In addition, new underground lines to the planned residential areas in Freiham and Englschalking as well as the north of Munich are important. ”
Detailed information about the 50th anniversary of the Munich subway is available at mvg.de/ubahn.
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