Our new S-Bahn

For the new S-Bahn, the traditional Berlin S-Bahn colour scheme – ruby red below the windows, mustard yellow above – has received a subtle refresh. While the red stripe above the windows is gone, the doors are now all-black. This black finish adds more contrast and helps visually impaired people find the nearest entry.

Warning strips above the doors in traditional traffic light colours show passengers whether boarding is still possible – or whether they need to wait for the next train. While a green light indicates that the doors can be opened, flashing green means that they are about to open. When the light is red, the doors cannot be opened and flashing red warns of closing doors – passengers need to step away and refrain from boarding or exiting the train.

You are probably familiar with this blue seat pattern with dark-blue checks from DB Regio trains and refurbished series 481 carriages. Each quarter train (two carriages) of the new S-Bahn contains 80 free-floating ergonomic seats with more legroom and underseat space for luggage and shopping.

Horizontal and vertical handrails have been around almost as long as the S-Bahn carriages themselves. The new 483/484 series, however, is the first train in the latest line-up to also sport hand straps for extra stability while the train is moving.

Our new S-Bahn features a modern passenger information system to keep you up-to-date on your journey. For the first time, this includes monitors on several side windows showing a linear map of your route, interchange options and the respective departure time.

When a passenger presses the emergency intercom or pulls the emergency brake, security can activate situation-dependent video monitoring. In case of emergency, the security centre can access these cameras to assess the situation inside the carriage and to better coordinate assistance.

With its darker colour scheme, the entry area’s flooring is clearly distinct from the rest of the floor and designed to help passengers with a visual impairment find their way inside the carriage. And please steer clear of the yellow stripe near the doors once the door closing signal sounds. Since the new S-Bahn’s doors are controlled by a light gate, this lets the doors close automatically and prevents any delays to departure.

The large multi-purpose compartments at the beginning and end of every train offer more room for wheelchairs, prams, and bicycles. Pictograms found e. g. below the folding seats indicate the order of priority use. Among them, the new wheelchair pictogram takes pride of place with easily visible placement on the window’s exterior and compartment’s floor, the latter in a bold, high-contrast shade of yellow.

To keep an eye on passengers getting on and off the train, drivers previously had to rely on a car-style side mirror. The new 483/484 series trains gives drivers a better overview with exterior cameras attached to every quarter train.

The service unit inside the multi-purpose compartment combines several functions designed for improved communications, especially for wheelchair users. Passengers can use the intercom “help” button to contact the security centre in case of emergencies or the blue button to ask for wheelchair assistance. The yellow button is for contacting the service centre, e. g. to ask a question or to report a mess in the carriage.

The driver’s cab of the new S-Bahn almost feels like a cockpit. Here, train drivers have all the controls – and journey-related information – at their fingertips. Among other updates, the completely overhauled cab design offers more intuitive controls and displays more real-time information.