Subway systems in Berlin will operate without air cooling systems this season
Berlin's U-Bahn trains, a vital part of the city's public transportation system, are generally not equipped with air conditioning. This is primarily due to the infrastructure and design constraints of the system, especially the extensive use of tunnels and older rolling stock that were not originally built to accommodate air conditioning systems.
As an alternative to air conditioning, Berlin's U-Bahn trains rely on ventilation through opening windows and forced-air ventilation systems that circulate air within the cars. Some stations and platforms also have measures to keep air moving, such as platform ventilation systems, but the trains themselves usually do not offer full air conditioning. This approach is common in many European subway systems where temperatures are generally moderate, though recent heat waves have increased the demand for better cooling solutions.
From September to the end of the year, 140 new U-Bahn cars will be deployed, followed by an additional 346 cars from autumn 2026. These newer U-Bahn trains will have ventilation systems that support fresh air supply, but they will not have air conditioning. The heat from air conditioning would lead to overheating in the tunnels, which make up more than 80 percent of the routes.
The older U-Bahn trains do not have air conditioning due to the design constraints of the narrow tunnels. The U-Bahn trains are adapted in size to the height of the tunnels, leaving only a few centimeters of space between the vehicle roof and the tunnel ceiling. This makes retrofitting technically challenging and costly.
The issue of air conditioning in the U-Bahn trains has been discussed with manufacturers without success. The Senate and BVG have emphasized the improvements in the ventilation systems of the newer U-Bahn trains, stating that the ventilation systems in the newer trains are more powerful and quieter than in the old trains.
In response to an SPD inquiry about the lack of air conditioning in the U-Bahn trains, the Senate and BVG highlighted that all series of U-Bahn trains that still come from the 1980s or the beginning of the 90s are to be phased out by the early 2030s. The older trains will be replaced by the newer, ventilated trains, aiming to provide a more comfortable experience for passengers.
It is important to note that the newer U-Bahn trains will not have air conditioning, but they will offer improved ventilation systems to support fresh air supply. This is a compromise due to the technical, infrastructural, and cost factors associated with installing air conditioning in the U-Bahn system.
In conclusion, while Berlin's U-Bahn trains lack air conditioning, they rely on ventilation through opening windows and forced-air systems to maintain a comfortable environment for passengers. The Senate and BVG are actively working on improving the ventilation systems of the newer U-Bahn trains to provide a more comfortable experience for passengers. The older trains, which lack air conditioning, will be phased out by the early 2030s.
The Senate and BVG are actively seeking to improve the ventilation systems of the U-Bahn trains, recognizing the need for enhanced cooling solutions especially during heat waves. Despite this, the newer U-Bahn trains will not have air conditioning due to technical, infrastructural, and cost factors associated with the installation in the existing system.
