Berlin Hauptbahnhof Turns 20: A “Bitten Sausage” and Escalator Woes
Berlin, May 26, 2026 – The Berlin Hauptbahnhof, the German capital’s central railway station, celebrates its 20th anniversary today, May 26. Since its opening, the station has been a focal point of discussion, often drawing criticism and mockery, particularly regarding its architectural design and recent operational issues.
The Hauptbahnhof recently garnered significant attention due to a major escalator malfunction, with up to 75 percent of its escalators out of service. This incident was widely perceived as a symbol of Berlin’s infrastructure challenges, prompting the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” to label the station an “ugly, failed new building.”
The “Bitten Sausage” Roof Controversy
A key point of contention surrounding the station’s design has been its roof. To ensure the station’s timely completion for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 130 meters of the planned roof over the tracks were omitted. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD) famously described the truncated roof as resembling a “bitten sausage.”
This unfinished roof was never retrofitted, and the pre-produced steel components were scrapped years later. The roof, along with the flat ceiling in the basement – a departure from the original vaulted ceiling design with elaborate lighting – led to years of legal disputes between the architect Meinhard von Gerkan and the then-head of Deutsche Bahn, Hartmut Mehdorn.
Mehdorn was quoted as saying, “We ordered a train station, not a cathedral.” The conflict was eventually resolved years later through a settlement, with Deutsche Bahn making a payment to a foundation supporting young architects.
Operational Significance and Passenger Numbers
Despite the architectural debates, the roof and ceiling issues have not impacted train operations, apart from passengers at the ends of the upper platforms being exposed to rain in bad weather. Approximately 1,300 trains pass through Berlin Hauptbahnhof daily, serving 300,000 passengers and visitors. Only Hamburg Hauptbahnhof handles more people.
Just one year after its opening, the station was named “Station of the Year” by the transport alliance Allianz Pro Schiene. The jury praised its cleanliness, open glass architecture, and overall quality of stay, noting its approximately 80 shops that help passengers pass time during delays.
However, even in 2007, the jury acknowledged that “Berlin Hauptbahnhof is not yet finished. It is in the making – just like the city in which it stands.” They concluded that despite its shortcomings, Berlin remained Germany’s most popular and exciting city, and its station was currently the most thrilling in Germany.
Ongoing Challenges: North-South Connection and Accessibility
A persistent issue highlighted by the “Station of the Year” jury in 2007 was the lack of a direct connection to the North-South S-Bahn line, a problem that remains unresolved on the station’s 20th anniversary. A new S-Bahn line (S15) between the Hauptbahnhof and the Berlin Nordring was initially planned to open nine years ago, but its launch has been repeatedly postponed by Deutsche Bahn. The latest information suggests an opening in spring 2026, though the exact timeframe for “spring” remains unclear.
The actual traffic benefit of the S15 is also debated. The line is intended to be extended southward in stages, passing through Potsdamer Platz and Yorckstraße to Südkreuz. Two additional sections are planned but not yet under construction, indicating that full completion will take many more years.
Nevertheless, the Hauptbahnhof has been connected to the U-Bahn network since 2009 (U5 to Brandenburger Tor) and 2020 (completion of the U5 gap). Several S-Bahn lines run east-west through the central station, and numerous bus and tram lines also serve the area.
Future Considerations: Capacity and Accessibility
Dirk Flege, managing director of Allianz pro Schiene, questions whether Berlin Hauptbahnhof would still be a candidate for “Station of the Year” today. He points to the need for improved bicycle parking facilities, as the racks at both exits are typically overflowing. Furthermore, with increasing passenger numbers and the planned Deutschlandtakt (Germany-wide integrated regular-interval timetable), concerns about platform capacity are growing.
Over the past two decades, rail passenger numbers have significantly increased. According to the Federal Statistical Office, approximately 3.2 billion passengers used local and long-distance rail services in 2005, a figure that rose to over 4.2 billion by 2025. This trend is expected to continue due to climate change challenges, as rail transport is highly energy-efficient.
As more people use trains and Germany’s population ages, more station visitors will rely on elevators. These are currently a major point of discussion at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, often described as moving at a snail’s pace between five levels and rarely going directly to the desired destination. Travelers with strollers, wheelchairs, or heavy luggage must factor in considerable extra time to reach their platforms. Those arriving on the second basement level, for instance, face climbing 147 stairs to reach the S-Bahn. The recent failure of numerous escalators in this very area only amplified the criticism and mockery.
Source: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
