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The term “S-Bahn” stands for “Stadtschnellbahn” (urban rapid transit)

Image: Hamsterkiste

The Berlin S-Bahn


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In Berlin, you can get around on foot, by bicycle, or by car. However, many residents prefer public transportation such as trains, buses, the U-Bahn, trams, or the S-Bahn. The abbreviation S-Bahn stands for “urban rapid transit” and originated in Berlin around 1930. The familiar S-Bahn logo—a white S on a green background—was also introduced there. Berlin’s S-Bahn has its own rail network. After the Berlin Wall was built in 1961, the network was split into eastern and western sections. Following German reunification, the two networks were reconnected. Today, the rail network is 340 km long. There are 16 lines in total, serving 168 stations. The S-Bahn is not limited to the city itself: many lines extend to the suburbs and into Brandenburg. The longest S-Bahn route is over 50 km long.

Find out:

  1. What do you call railways, buses, underground trains, trams and suburban trains?
  2. What does the abbreviation S-Bahn stand for?
  3. When did the S-Bahn start operating in Berlin?
  4. How long is the Berlin S-Bahn network?
  5. Which German state is Berlin connected to by the S-Bahn?