Government Council BS Basel government wants to expand public transport services across the cantonal border

SDA

2.7.2024 - 15:48

Bus access to the Bachgraben area in Allschwil is to be expanded. (Archived image)
Bus access to the Bachgraben area in Allschwil is to be expanded. (Archived image)
Keystone

More S-Bahn, streetcar and bus connections across cantonal borders: the Basel public transport program 2026-2028 includes many expansion projects that will require an increase in the annual global budget from around CHF 159 million today to CHF 189 million, as announced by the government on Tuesday.

Keystone-SDA

The most striking innovation is likely to be the quarter-hourly frequency of the S-Bahn connection between Basel and Liestal, which will go into operation in December 2025. However, this is a project that is primarily the responsibility of SBB.

Other new public transport connections, on the other hand, are primarily the responsibility of the canton or cantons. For example, the direct streetcar connection from Leimental via Margarethenstich to SBB station, which is already planned for the second time. The Basel government reckons that this service could encourage around a thousand people a day to switch from car to public transport.

Better access to the Bachgraben area

There are also plans to improve public transport links to the booming Bachgraben development area in Allschwil BL. Specifically, the plan is to increase the bus service between the SBB railroad station and Bachgraben with line 48 during peak times and to connect the area directly to Badischer Bahnhof station with a new bus line. The new line 39 will serve as a precursor service for the planned Bachgraben streetcar.

The current public transport global budget of CHF 158.5 million per year is no longer sufficient for the implementation of these and other measures. Due to the expansion of services, the upcoming renewal of the bus and streetcar fleet, inflation and the expected increase in subsidies for the U-Abo, the amount will rise to CHF 1888.6 million by 2028.

The public transport program was submitted for consultation on Tuesday.