Offenbach is taking a clear stance on the construction of the Frankfurt mainline railway tunnel in order to safeguard the city's objectives and interests in the implementation of the project. To this end, the city councillors have formulated a common basic line on the topic of "Offenbach's rail link" by a large majority at the request of the municipal council. "The construction of the long-distance rail tunnel, the route through Offenbach and the Deutschlandtakt will have an impact on the city's rail connections for decades and thus on urban development as a whole. In view of the currently unattractive connection to Offenbach's main railway station, it is therefore essential that we jointly define clear goals and demand that they be taken into account," said Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke, Mayor Sabine Groß and City Councillor Paul-Gerhard Weiß, explaining the resolution. "The infrastructure for the long-distance rail tunnel and regional transport must be considered together."
Lord Mayor Felix Schwenke emphasizes: "For a project of this magnitude and with an impact on our city that will last for decades, it is essential that all forces join forces across responsibilities, party affiliations and electoral periods. The long-distance rail tunnel must not just create capacity for others - and transit traffic for Offenbach residents. This is not parochial thinking, but the mandate we have towards the citizens for a project of this size and importance." The long-distance rail tunnel must be designed in such a way that Offenbach and its citizens also benefit from it, Schwenke continued: "Our red line is the well-timed, direct connection of Offenbach's main railway station directly into the long-distance rail tunnel as part of the so-called fast regional transport, the HessenExpress. So far, this has only been planned twice an hour by Deutsche Bahn - but it must become more frequent. Only with more high-quality connections for Offenbach can we support the project constructively. However, I would also like to emphasize this: If the concerns of Offenbach's citizens are also taken into account, the long-distance rail tunnel is not only a unique opportunity for transport in Germany, but then also for Offenbach."
Mayor Sabine Groß refers to the necessary combination with the southern bypass and the importance of sustainable public transport in Offenbach and the region: "We are also calling for the realization of the southern bypass to be considered in combination with the plans for the mainline railway tunnel. In addition to the HessenExpress connections, our aim is to provide further S-Bahn connections via the southern bypass." On the future of local and regional public transport, she adds: "With the local transport plan, the 2025 transport development plan and the design of the area around our Offenbach main railway station, we as a city have already set an important course for more attractive and sustainable public transport in Offenbach. At regional level, we are campaigning for an S-Bahn stop 'An den Eichen' and the double-track expansion of the line from Offenbach-Ost to Mühlheim."
Head of Planning Paul-Gerhard Weiß emphasizes another essential demand of the city: "Substantially more fast trains must stop in Offenbach - as a place to live and as a business location, Offenbach needs an attractive connection to fast rail transport at its main railway station. However, this must under no circumstances lead to restrictions on the existing S-Bahn service through Offenbach's city center." For a regional center like Offenbach, "fast accessibility" is a decisive location factor, according to Weiß. "This is precisely why an attractive public transport service must be provided for the growing population and increasing number of commuters in the Rhine-Main region."
"Offenbach's representatives must speak with one voice at all levels on this project, which is so important for the future of our city," emphasizes CDU parliamentary group leader Andreas Bruszynski, with whom the city council discussed the contents of the motion for the city council meeting. "The concrete implementation of the Frankfurt mainline railway tunnel project will influence the urban design, transport links and quality of life of Offenbach's citizens for generations to come. We are therefore delighted that a broad political consensus was sought and found when formulating the interests and objectives of the city of Offenbach. Because our position is also clear: residents living along the densely populated railroad line must be protected as well as possible from additional noise. To achieve this, we need to continue and, if necessary, adapt the noise abatement program. In addition, the planned Frankfurt freight bypass must be implemented as quickly as possible."
Following the decision by the City Council, the City of Offenbach will continue to represent the city's position in its discussions with Deutsche Bahn, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) and other decision-makers at federal and state level - under the premise of an above-ground route connected to the mainline tunnel in Offenbach:
- Improving the connection: The city of Offenbach is striving to significantly improve the connection to the region via the main railway station. And this involves two specific points: Regular HessenExpress with stops at Offenbach main station and in the long-distance rail tunnel as well as additional S-Bahn trains on a regional tangent south.
- S-Bahn service: An improved connection to Offenbach Central Station must not lead to restrictions on the existing S-Bahn service.
- Noise protection: The noise abatement program on the railroad embankment along the Offenbach line, which is already in the planning process, must be continued to ensure adequate noise protection for local residents. In addition, the city rejects additional freight traffic at night through the very densely populated Offenbach urban area in the interests of noise protection. Deutsche Bahn's "RhineMain freight bypass" project must be implemented as quickly as possible.
- Involvement of local residents: The comprehensive involvement of local residents in the planning process for DB projects in Offenbach is essential.
- Attractiveness of public transport: In order to increase the attractiveness of public transport in Offenbach, the city is pushing ahead with the implementation of numerous measures that were initiated with the adoption of the local transport plan, the 2035 transport development plan and the redesign of the area around Offenbach's main railway station. The focus is on measures to dovetail local and regional transport. To this end, the city is also committed to the realization of the "An den Eichen" S-Bahn stop and the Offenbach-Ost-Mühlheim double track. This will be achieved through the forthcoming municipal statement in the regional land use plan and through a joint initiative with RMV and the city of Mühlheim for a new feasibility study.