Schweben und Vernetzen, Zu- und Abgang beim Metrorapid-System

According to the NRW government's concept, the Metroprapid rail system between Dusseldorf and Dortmund is to combine the inherent advantages of the IC/ICE trains'short journey times, the regular pattern of trains run at frequent intervals, and the attractive tariff structure of the regional rail system (RE and S-Bahn). Of special concern is the easy access to the proposed rail system within the context of a typical journey, and to what extent the Metrorapid system will be able to promote its inherent advantages of speed, frequent trains at regular intervals and attractive fares on the widest scale possible. A review of the existing OPNV services' level of quality has shown that the planned Metrorapid system is likely to improve future rail services very significantly if trains are planned to operate at 10-minute intervals In turn, there is little chance of scoring over the use of private cars - which are the main competitor to the future rail system - unless a large-scale improvement can be achieved by way of integrating the various modes of transport since only one third of the entire journey time is expected to involve the use of Metrorapid trains. The present review features possible improvements especially in the areas of Information for travellers, Optimizing connections, Increasing train departures within a regular interval service pattern, Introducing simplified service methods and Making private cars a part of the future rail system access pattern.