Public transport Bernmobil celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first bus line
A journey from Ostermundigen to Bümpliz initially cost 40 centimes.
Image: Keystone
The population was enthusiastic about the new bus line.
Image: Keystone
Because a streetcar line was too expensive, the municipal council decided to try a bus line as a temporary solution.
Image: Keystone
In the first six weeks of operation, the new Saurer buses covered 33,000 kilometers and carried 152,000 passengers.
Image: Keystone
The opening of the bus route in Bümpliz-Bachmätteli was also accompanied by musical entertainment.
Image: Keystone
A journey from Ostermundigen to Bümpliz initially cost 40 centimes.
Image: Keystone
The population was enthusiastic about the new bus line.
Image: Keystone
Because a streetcar line was too expensive, the municipal council decided to try a bus line as a temporary solution.
Image: Keystone
In the first six weeks of operation, the new Saurer buses covered 33,000 kilometers and carried 152,000 passengers.
Image: Keystone
The opening of the bus route in Bümpliz-Bachmätteli was also accompanied by musical entertainment.
Image: Keystone
The first bus line in the city of Bern was opened in November 1924. From then on, the city center was connected to Ostermundigen and Bümpliz by bus. Bernmobil celebrates the anniversary in September with the "100 years of Bus Bern" festival.
The rapidly growing Bernese suburbs of Ostermundigen and Bümpliz wanted a connection to the city. As a streetcar line proved too expensive, the municipal council decided to try a bus line as a temporary solution. Until then, the streetcar was the usual means of public transport, as Bernmobil writes.
The municipal council ordered seven Saurer buses from the company A. Saurer in Arbon on Lake Constance. On Saturday, November 15, 1924, the new Ostermundigen-Bern-Bümpliz city bus route was inaugurated. A journey over the full distance cost 40 centimes.
Due to the great demand, the timetable had to be extended from two to three services per hour after a short time. The public was delighted. In the first six weeks of operation, the buses covered 33,000 kilometers and transported 152,000 people, according to Bernmobil.
Soon other districts also wanted a bus: a line to Gurten-Gartenstadt followed in 1925, one to Köniz in 1926, and later the lower Kirchenfeld and, after the opening of the Lorraine Bridge in 1930, the northern district were also served by buses.
Because the bus quickly established itself as an efficient, inexpensive and convenient means of public transport, the development of the streetcar network stood still for a long time. Its advantages were first rediscovered towards the end of the 20th century.
Bernmobil is celebrating the anniversary on 14 September 2024 with the "100 Years of Bus Bern" festival in Bus Garage 3 at Freiburgstrasse 153. The program includes vintage car rides, a bus exhibition, rides on the bus simulator and live music.
https://www.zeitreise.bernmobil.ch/
