A THREE-STAGE project to develop an S-Bahn network in the Swiss city of Luzern was officially unveiled on May 7 by the head of the city’s transport and works department Max Pfister. The project forms part of the second phase of the Bahn 2000 programme, which is due to be approved by Parliament later this year (RG 3.02 p161). Total cost of the project, which is expected to double patronage on eight radial lines, is put at SFr1bn.
The initial two phases are costed at SFr115m in total. The first would see the introduction of half-hourly services on most routes from December 2004, serving seven new stations, of which two are already open. By 2006 the second phase would add two more stations and complete the introduction of new rolling stock.
Starting in 2008, the SFr928m third phase would require double-tracking of the Rotsee line, and four-tracking of the Gütsch tunnel to accommodate an increase in daily services in and out of the main station from 550 to over 900. A 15 min interval service would be introduced on the Luzern - Zug - Zürich route, together with better services on the metre-gauge routes to Sursee, Giswil and Stans.
Excluded from the current scheme is the proposed deep-level through station below the present SBB terminus, which was priced at SFr1·6bn.
