Accessibility

Increasing numbers of stations in the VBN area are accessible: Access to the platforms is mainly easily possible by means of ramps or lifts for passengers in wheelchairs, prams, using walkers or with luggage. The non-accessible platforms at stations can be found in the VBN overview map (Train travel in the VBN area). They are labelled with a warning triangle symbol. The station profiles under station information also contain information on whether a station is accessible and whether any lifts are operational.

Assistance with Boarding and Alighting

Do you need help boarding and alighting? Please note that your journey must be registered in advance. The transport company concerned will be happy to help you. You can find a direct contact and more details from the relevant transport company: DB Regio, evb, metronom, NordWestBahn (Regio-S-Bahn), NordWestBahn (Weser-Ems-Netz) and start.

To make boarding and alighting easier for you, the majority of buses and trams are low-floor vehicles. Their vehicle floor is low so that passengers with heavy luggage, a walker or a pram can board and alight easily when the vehicle stops at a curb that is high enough. Wheelchair users get into the vehicle by means of a folding ramp operated by the driver or a “lowerable” vehicle lift. Only low-floor vehicles are in service on urban routes.

At newly developed stops and stations you will find guide strips with a ribbed structure in the direction of travel, which is laid across the path. An entry field at the end indicates the stopping position of door 1 of a vehicle for blind and visually impaired people. At smaller stops, the locating strips can also function as a boarding area. In addition, many bus stops and train stations already have guide strips along the bus or train platforms that serve as orientation and safety strips.

At some stops, where the departure time of the next buses and trams are displayed on dynamic vehicle information boards, there are buttons that can be pressed for the text to be converted into an acoustic voice output. This notice board also informs passengers of timetable changes. At larger stations, there are also spoken announcements on the platforms alongside the noticeboards.

There are sounds on trains, indicating the opening and closing of the doors, which act as an acoustic orientation aid. On some trams operated by Bremer Straßenbahn AG, an acoustic signal (ticking) guides passengers to the first door, and a tactile guidance system (ribbed plates in the floor) leads from the outside to the front entrance. On many buses and trams in Bremen, the route and direction of travel are being announced over loudspeakers outside when they arrive at the stop.

In all trains, trams and buses, the next station is announced over the speakers. In many city and regional buses, and trams the passengers are informed of the next stop by monitors, so that hearing-impaired people can also orient themselves.

So that you can use buses, trams and trains easily in a wheelchair or with a walker, in addition to VBN, some transport companies, such as Bremer Straßenbahn AG, BREMERHAVEN BUS and VWG in Oldenburg, regularly offer special mobility training days (in German language). 

Find out about what is available near you from the relevant transport company:

• Mobility training for senior citizens at VBN
• Wheelchair and walker training at Bremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG)
• Mobility training at BREMERHAVEN BUS
• Free walker training with VWG and the Johanniter

Passengers with reduced mobility with a valid disabled pass and token can travel for free on all routes* incorporated in the VBN fare schedule, in 2nd class. If you need a permanent escort or companion dog and this is registered on your disabled person's pass, they can also travel for free. Seats for people with impaired mobility with a disabled pass and their companion are identified in the vehicles.

* The IC trains between Bremen Hbf and Augustfehn stopping in Delmenhorst, Hude, Oldenburg, Bad Zwischenahn and Westerstede-Ocholt can be used by VBN customers without payment of a surcharge. Use of ICE trains running within the network area is generally excluded!