Regional Light Rail, Biel

The numerous new jobs, sports stadiums, and shopping centers in the eastern part of Biel require better access via public transportation. A fast and direct connection to the city center and the residential neighborhoods on the right bank of Lake Biel is essential. The feasibility assessment “Public Transport Axis Agglomeration Biel” concludes that a new tram line—connected to the existing BTI line at the train station—offers the best solution. Subproject 2 involves routing the new tram through Biel’s central area and connecting it to Biel train station.

A key component is a variant study to determine the alignment, the arrangement of stops, and the surrounding design. Legal, technical, economic, and urban planning aspects must be considered. The impacts on other traffic participants and the spatial quality are incorporated into the evaluation of alternatives. Important urban planning considerations include the synergies between tram operations and adjacent land uses, access to key institutions and development areas, and integration into the urban fabric (squares, main roads). The tram line should improve orientation within various neighborhoods and become a defining identity element of the city through its infrastructure presence.