View source for Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn

{{Short description|Swiss public transport company}}
[[Image:20070823S928_57_58.jpg|thumb|RBS trains in [[Worblaufen]].]]

[[Image:RBS-Bahnhof Zollikofen.jpg|thumb|RBS train and bus station in [[Zollikofen]]. The yellow bus is operated by [[Swiss Post]].]]

'''Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn RBS''' ({{langx|en|Regional Transport [[Bern]]-[[Solothurn]]}}) is a [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[public transport]] company. It operates [[train]], [[tram]], and [[bus]] lines between [[Bern]], [[Solothurn]] and [[Worb]].

==History==
There had been a desire for a direct connection between Solothurn and Bern since the middle of the nineteenth century, only partly satisfied by the opening of a standard gauge line between Solothurn and Burgdorf by the ''[[Emmental-Burgdorf-Thun Bahn|Emmentalbahn]]'' in 1876. A campaign for a line via [[Fraubrunnen]] finally resulted in a concession granted in 1912 for the ''Elektrische Solothurn-Bern-Bahn (ESB)'' to build a [[metre-gauge]] line between Solothurn and [[Zollikofen]]. Here it would connect with the ''Bern-Zollikofen-Bahn'', which had been opened in the same year. The full line was opened on 9 April 1916, but for the first eight years, passengers were obliged to change trains in Zollikofen. Public pressure led to the fusion of the two lines into the ''Solothurn-Zollikofen-Bahn (SZB)'' in 1922.

The town of [[Worb]] had been connected to Bern by the ''Bern-Worb-Bahn (BWB)'' in 1898, and the ''Worblentalbahn'' subsequently connected Worb with the villages of the Worble valley, making a connection with the BZB line at Worblaufen. The two lines to Worb fused in 1927 into the ''Vereinigte Bern-Worb-Bahnen (VBW)''. After a series of working agreements in the 1970s, the SZB and the VWB finally merged into the RBS in November 1984 through a series of mergers. 94% of RBS shares are owned by federal, cantonal and local authorities.

As of 2006, the company has 361 employees and owns 185 vehicles. It operates on 57&nbsp;km of [[Rail tracks|track]] and 61&nbsp;km of bus lines and transports 23.5 million passengers each year. The subterranean [[Bern railway station|RBS train station]] in Bern is the country's eighth-largest in terms of passenger usage, with 49,000 people using it on peak days. This heavy usage leads to overcrowding during peak hours. To increase the station's passenger handling capacity and reduce overcrowding, strict rules have been put into place to govern passenger flow.

A steady programme of track-doubling has significantly increased track capacity. Planning has already started to increase the size and capacity of the station in terms of passenger flow and number of trains it can handle. In 2009, a 15-minute interval for all lines was planned, which takes the station to the limit of its ability to handle passengers.

New 120&nbsp;km/h train sets have been introduced on the RE line (Bern - Solothurn) to enable running at 15-minute intervals. These sets were made by [[Stadler Rail]] AG.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/rbs-places-next-emu-contract.html|accessdate=2011-02-13|title=Railway Gazette: RBS places NExT EMU contract}}</ref>

==Lines==
===Train===
{| {{Table}}
|-
! '''Line''' !! '''Route''' !! '''Length'''
!Source
|-
| style = "text-align: center"| '''S7''' || Bern–Worb Dorf || 15.1 km
|<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Zahlen und Fakten zum RBS |url=https://www.rbs.ch/unternehmen/portrait/zahlen-und-fakten-zum-rbs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202201157/https://www.rbs.ch/unternehmen/portrait/zahlen-und-fakten-zum-rbs |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |access-date=August 16, 2023 |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Linienplan RBS 2024 |url=https://www.rbs.ch/sites/default/files/downloads/2023/lay_rbs-liniennetz_DINA3_quer_2024_1a_GzA_0.pdf | access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
| style = "text-align: center"| '''S8''' || Bern–Bätterkinden || 13.6 km
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
|-
| style = "text-align: center"| '''S9''' || Bern–Unterzollikofen || {{0}}5.4 km
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
|-
| style = "text-align: center"| '''RE''' || Bern–Solothurn || 33.6 km
|<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
|}

===Tram===
{| {{Table}}
|-
! '''Line''' !! '''Route''' !! '''Length'''
!Source
|-
| style = "text-align: center"| '''6''' || Bern Fischermätteli–Worb Dorf || 13.1 km
|<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Geschäftsbericht 2011 BERNMOBIL |url=http://www.bernmobil.ch/File/unternehmen/gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte/2011/Gesamter%20Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht%202011%20BERNMOBIL.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524092012/http://www.bernmobil.ch/File/unternehmen/gesch%C3%A4ftsberichte/2011/Gesamter%20Gesch%C3%A4ftsbericht%202011%20BERNMOBIL.pdf |archive-date=May 24, 2016 |language=de}}</ref>
|}

===Bus===
{| {{table}}
! Line !! Route<ref name=":2" />
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;"| '''8'''
| [[Solothurn]] – [[Büren an der Aare]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''33'''
| Worblaufen – Reichenbach – Bremgarten
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;"| '''34'''
| Unterzollikofen – Hirzenfeld
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''36'''
| Breitenrain – Worblaufen – [[Zollikofen]] – [[Münchenbuchsee]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;"| '''38'''
| [[Urtenen-Schönbühl|Schönbühl]] – Bäriswil – Mattstetten
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;"| '''40'''
| Kappelisacker – Papiermühle – Schosshalde – Egghölzli – [[Muri bei Bern|Muri]] – Allmendingen / Sonnenfeld
|- align="left" 
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''41'''
| Zollikofen – Kappelisacker – Papiermühle – Breitenrain
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''43'''
|[[Ittigen|Ittigen Bahnhof]] – Kappelisacker – Ittigen Bahnhof
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''44'''
| [[Bolligen]] – [[Ostermundigen]] – Gümligen
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''46'''
| Bolligen – Habstetten
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''47'''
| Bolligen – Mannenberg
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''48'''
| Papiermühle – Kappelisacker – Lutertal – Habstetten – Bolligen Bahnhof
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''362'''
| [[Lyss]] – [[Schnottwil]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''363'''
| Lyss – [[Grossaffoltern]] – [[Bätterkinden]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''367'''
| City bus Lyss
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''368'''
| City bus Lyss
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''871'''
| Wengi b. Büren – [[Jegenstorf]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''884'''
| Bätterkinden – [[Utzenstorf]] – [[Koppigen]]
|- align="left"
| align="center" style="text-align:center;" | '''898'''
| Büren an der Aare – Zollikofen
|}

==Rolling stock==
===Rail===
{| {{Table}}
! Name !! Number of units !! In service !! Capacity !! Top speed 
!About!! Image !! Source 
|- 
!{{ill |RBS Be 4/10|de|lt= Be 4/10 ''Worbla''}}
|14
|2018–present
|510 (130 seated)
|{{convert|100|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|Built in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by [[Stadler Rail]]. Replaced the Be 4/12 ''Mandarinli'' units on the S7 line. Also used on the S9 line.
|[[File:J33 762 RBS Be 4-10.jpg|200px]]
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Worbla {{!}} RBS.ch |url=https://www.rbs.ch/die-worbla |access-date=August 14, 2023 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Christeller |first=Reinhard |title=Stadler‘s new "Worbla" commuter train for the Bern region |url=https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/stadlers-new-worbla-commuter-train-for-the-bern-region/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117063138/https://www.urban-transport-magazine.com/en/stadlers-new-worbla-commuter-train-for-the-bern-region/ |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |access-date=August 15, 2023}}</ref>
|-
! [[Stadler NExT|RABe 4/12 ''NExT'']]
|14
|2009–present
|443 (154 seated)
|{{convert|120|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|Built in 2009 and 2013 by Stadler Rail. Replaced the ABe 4/12 ''La Prima'' units on the RE line.
|[[File:RABe 4-12 31 Worblaufen.jpg|200px]]
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Der Niederflur-Express-Treibzug-NExT {{!}} RBS.ch |url=https://www.rbs.ch/der-niederflur-express-triebzug-next |access-date=August 14, 2023 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
!{{ill|SWA/SIG/ABB (A)Be 4/8#Umbau|de|lt= Be 4/12 ''Seconda''}}
|11
|2010–present
|418(178 seated)
|{{convert|90|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|Rebuilt from ABe 4/12 ''La Prima'' units from 2010 to 2013. Used on the S8 and S9 lines. Also sometimes used on the RE line.
|[[File:RBS Be 4 12 72.jpg|200px]]
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Seconda {{!}} RBS.ch |url=https://www.rbs.ch/seconda-0 |access-date=August 14, 2023 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
!{{ill|RBS Be 4/8 81–89#Be 4/10|de|lt= Be 4/10 ''Blaus Bähnli''}}
|9
|2010–present
|148 (88 seated)
|{{convert|65|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
|Rebuilt from Be 4/8 ''Blaus Bähnli'' units in 2010. The rebuild included the addition of a new car in the middle of each unit. The new cars were built by Stadler Rail and included lower floors to allow for level boarding. Operated by {{ill|Bernmobil|de|Bernmobil|display=1}} on the tram line 6.
|[[File:Tram RBS Be 4-10 83 (22053964638).jpg|200px]]
|<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Das Blaue Bähnli {{!}} RBS.ch |url=https://www.rbs.ch/das-blaue-baehnli |access-date=August 14, 2023 |language=de}}</ref>
|-
!{{ill|RBS Be 4/8 81–89#Be 4/8|de|lt= Be 4/8 ''Blaus Bähnli''}}
|9
|1987-2010
|123 (73 seated)
|{{convert|65|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| Built by {{ill|Schindler Waggon|de|lt=SWP}}, [[SIG Combibloc Group|SIG]], and [[ABB]] in 1987. Used on the G line. 
|[[File:Gümligen Tram RBS.JPG|200px]]
|<ref name=":0" />
|}

== See also ==
* [[Transport in Switzerland]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.rbs.ch/pdf/geschaeftsbericht_06/Geschaeftsbericht_RBS_2006.pdf Annual report, 2006]

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.rbs.ch/}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn| ]]
[[Category:Railway companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Transport companies of Switzerland]]
[[Category:Metre gauge railways in Switzerland]]
[[Category:Railway companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Swiss companies established in 1984]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 1984]]


{{Switzerland-stub}}