Erlangen: Is the StUB, Germany’s largest tram project, shaking again? – Bavaria

If there were family constellations among large cities, Erlangen would have a special role. Erlangen is the visually inconspicuous, conspicuously well-educated, quite wealthy, generally popular and comparatively young aunt with an international resume who makes an impression, but can also really annoy the other family members with her “I know how -what” gesture – and her notorious argumentative nature.

Spontaneously, even locals with encyclopedic talent are likely to have only a rough idea of ​​all the referendums of the past decades. Whether it was about public utilities, a thoroughfare or an underground car park, a shopping center, a swimming pool, a taxi stand, a garden show or a commercial area – Erlangen always wanted to have it fully discussed and let everyone have a say.

Some celebrate this as a model of direct democracy in action. Others squirm: Oh no, dear aunt, not again.

And as is always the case: if someone has a special role, there is a risk of exaggeration. Erlangen decided in favor of the StUB, the city-surrounding railway between Nuremberg, Erlangen and Herzogenaurach, in 2016. Within the extended Franconian family in Nuremberg, they were so happy that they extended their tram tracks in the direction of Erlangen right up to the city limits.

Until the capricious aunt got to thinking again: Everyone, listen up – have we really discussed this?

So a new referendum, months of letters to the editor, disputes even between the local CSU (against) and the state CSU (pro). Until the aunt came to the same conclusion as years before.

This is what the StUB should look like – according to two referendums. (Photo: Visualization: Claus Hirche/ZV StUB/dpa)

Rarely have town hall bosses in Franconia, usually prone to inner ecstasy, been seen as exuberant as in June 2024: The largest tram project in the republic – it’s coming!

So it works. Or? Erlangen’s city council CSU has made itself heard again these days. She noted the “slump” in city trade tax revenue. And concluded: In view of this, there could be “no simple business as usual” with the StUB.

As far as we can tell, there is currently no talk of a third referendum. In Nuremberg, Herzogenaurach and (not least) at the state CSU, you should probably keep an eye on the young aunt. You never know.

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