Such a concentration of mass spectacles will inevitably entail critical tests for the city’s transport infrastructure. In connection with this, the Munich Transport Company (MVG) has developed and published detailed recommendations for traveling to the venue of the large-scale cultural events.
Schwabing-Freimann — This current June, a whole series of major concerts will take place at the Allianz Arena stadium, at each of which the simultaneous presence of tens of thousands of spectators is forecasted. To optimize human flows, the Munich Transport Company (MVG) strongly recommends that guests and residents of the city plan their trips well in advance. The local carrier also appeals to passengers with a request to show mutual respect and patience in conditions of increased passenger traffic density, so that everyone who wishes can reach the destination on time and without incidents.
For convenience, visitors to the musical shows can use their admission tickets as official travel documents. This option allows for the free use of all types of city transport — the subway, trams, bus routes, and the suburban train (S-Bahn) — both in the direction of the stadium and on the return trip after the completion of the program.
Restrictions in Throughput Capacity Possible
According to official data from the transport company, a significant increase in load is expected on the main lines of the Munich subway during all 6 festive evenings. Due to the forecasted influx of people immediately after the end of the performances, temporary restrictions in throughput capacity may arise at key stations. Employees of the transport company warn that in the event of a threat of platforms overcrowding, station vestibules will be forced to restrict the entry of passengers for a few minutes. This measure is due to strict safety requirements and protocols for managing large flows of people: access will resume only when enough space is cleared on the platforms after the departure of regular trains.
According to the approved schedule, all concerts will take place according to the approved schedule:
- performances by Linkin Park will take place on Thursday and Friday, June 11 and 12;
- the rock band Foo Fighters will take the stage on Wednesday, June 17;
- the three-day show of the artist The Weeknd is scheduled for June 25, 26, and 27.
Restrictions on the U3 Line
Additional complications are due to the execution of planned construction and repair works at the subway stations “Goetheplatz” and “Poccistraße” in the central part of the city. Because of this, a smaller number of tactics for maneuvering and moving trains along the city lines U3 and U6 is temporarily available to the dispatch services.
For this reason, in the late hours, immediately after the completion of the concert programs, trains of the U3 line will run exclusively on a shortened section — between the stations “Moosach” and “Münchner Freiheit.” Passengers proceeding along the U3 line to the central districts of Munich are recommended to transfer at the station “Scheidplatz” to the U2 line or to use the surface tram service. Such a maneuver will allow for avoiding the main peak flow of spectators dispersing from the stadium.
The transport company MVG ensures continuous informing of the population about all changes in the operational schedule of train movements. Notifications are broadcasted using regular sound announcements at stations, electronic running text lines on displays, and operational voice messages inside the carriages.
Timely route planning and the use of alternative subway lines will allow for minimizing travel delays. Despite temporary restrictions and repair works in the center of the city, the coordinated actions of city services and the provision of free travel using concert tickets are intended to reduce the load on the main transfer hubs. Passengers are recommended to follow updates on information displays directly on the day of the events.
