Strategic public transport vision for Dortmund Creating a future-proof public transport system for the mobility transition

Project

Strategy and spatial planning

Westfalenhallen Dortmund Stromfahrer Jörg Schimmel

How can public transport become the backbone of a city’s mobility transition? That was the question behind the strategic public transport concept that Goudappel developed together with German mobility consultancy Planersocietät for the City of Dortmund. Drawing on Goudappel’s experience in integrated mobility planning, public transport strategy and accessibility analysis, combined with Planersocietät’s in-depth knowledge of the German planning system and local context, the project delivered a long-term vision for a more attractive, efficient and sustainable public transport network. The concept now forms the basis for Dortmund’s new Nahverkersplan (public transport plan).

Picture: © Jörg Schimmel

Supporting Dortmund’s mobility transition

Like many European cities, Dortmund aims to reduce car dependency while improving accessibility, liveability and climate performance. As part of its Masterplan Mobilität 2030, the city required a strategic public transport vision that looked beyond today’s network and identified how public transport can contribute to broader societal goals related to accessibility, climate neutrality and social inclusion. Rather than focusing solely on individual infrastructure projects, we explored how buses, light rail, regional rail and connected mobility can work together as one integrated network supporting sustainable urban development.

From network analysis to strategic decision-making

The project started with a comprehensive assessment of Dortmund’s public transport system including bus services, Stadtbahn, H-Bahn, regional rail, mobility hubs, cycling connections, shared mobility and Park & Rike and Bike & Ride facilities.

A key element was the development of the accessibility analysis (Erschließungsanalyse) and a practical assessment framework based on ÖPNV-Güteklassen (public transport quality classes commonly used in Germany). This assessment framework enables the city to systematically evaluate how well neighbourhoods are served by public transport and to integrate accessibility into future decisions on housing developments, urban planning and land-use policies.

Through workshops with municipal experts and stakeholders, inspirational public transport examples were discussed and translated into a shared long-term vision, strategic objectives and a coherent package of measures. A broad participation process with more than 2.300 residents supported the project, including stakeholder workshops, a working group, public dialogue and an online consultation.

Combining Dutch mobility expertise with local knowledge

The project demonstrates the value of international collaboration. Goudappel contributed recognised Dutch expertise in public transport, multimodal accessibility and integrated mobility strategy while Planerscoietät provided local expertise, stakeholder engagement and guidance through the German planning process. Together, this created a strategy that is evidence-based and fitting to Dortmund’s local planning context.

Results: strategic public transport concept

The result is a comprehensive strategic concept for public transport in Dortmund, forming the basis for the updated Nahverkehrsplan (public transport plan for Dortmund). It sets out development pathways for regional rail, the Stadtbahn network, the bus network, mobility hubs, accessibility, information systems, climate-neutral operations and the integration of public transport with urban development.

The concept includes measures such as the development of at least 45 mobility stations, improved Bike & Ride facilities, a clearer hierarchy for the bus network, public transport priority measures, better real-time passenger information and the use of transit-oriented development as a planning principle.

Scenario analyses indicate that implementation of the strategy could increase public transport’s modal share from approximately 22% today to around 28% by 2035. Annual ridership is expected to grow from approximately 120 million to 175–190 million passenger journeys annually. In the longer term, the concept could also contribute to significant CO₂ savings, estimated at 119,000 tonnes by 2035. The study also identifies the conditions to achieve these ambitions, including investment in infrastructure, operations, staffing and governance.

Reliable basis for future developments and decisions

The strategy provides an objective, evidence-based foundation for future investment decisions.

"The public transport concept provides us with a reliable basis for strategically developing public transport in Dortmund. Particularly valuable is the accessibility assessment framework with public transport quality levels. It gives us a practical tool for evaluating future urban developments and planning decisions."

Mobility Planning Department, City of Dortmund

What other cities can learn

The Dortmund project shows that public transport strategies are most effective when they connect integrated network planning with spatial development, accessibility, implementation and stakeholder engagement. It also shows the added value of international collaboration. By combining Goudappel’s analytical mobility expertise with Planersocietät’s local knowledge, the city gained a practical and evidence-based strategy for making public transport a stronger driver of the mobility transition.

Client: City of Dortmund
Period: 2024–2026
Partner: Planersocietät