BOGESTRA

Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen AG
Founded13 January 1896 (1896-01-13)
HeadquartersUniversitätsstraße 58
44789 Bochum
LocaleBochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Service areaBochum, Gelsenkirchen, Herne and Witten
AllianceVerkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR)
RoutesMulti-Modal regional transit
network consisting of:
Stops3,018 (total as of 2025)
Fleet397 vehicles total:
  • 32 underground vehicles
  • 95 tram vehicles
  • 234 buses
  • 36 electric buses
Annual ridership
133 million (2025)
WebsiteBOGESTRA AG

The Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Straßenbahnen AG (English: Bochum-Gelsenkirchen Tramways Corporation), abbreviated BOGESTRA, is a public transport operator in the Ruhr area, most notably in the cities of Bochum, Gelsenkirchen and Herne. As of 2025, the company operated, in whole or in part, 12 rail lines (2 Stadtbahn, and 10 tram), and 71 bus lines. In 2025, BOGESTRA transported a total of 133 million passengers. The company is a member of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) public transport association.

History

BOGESTRA network, 1949
Share of the Bochum-Gelsenkirchener Strassenbahnen, issued 22 January 1900

BOGESTRA was founded by the cities of Bochum and Gelsenkirchen and Siemens & Halske AG in Berlin on 13 January 1896. At the time of the founding of the company, the transit network consisted of three lines built by Siemens & Halske in 1894 and 1895. Thus, BOGESTRA already had, at the time of its founding, approximately 15.1 kilometres (9.4 mi) of streetcar network. The construction and operation of these lines remained with the Siemens & Halske AG, while BOGESTRA itself initially took only functional control. In the next 10 years the network grew rapidly.

Much of the streetcar network was damaged or destroyed by Allied bombing during World War II. On 24 May 1945, the deployment of transit personnel and the operation of approximately 55 kilometres (34 mi) of the rail network were resumed. In the period following the war, additional routes and lines were repaired and reopened. By the end of 1950, a total of 27 lines were back in operation, and the reconstruction of the rail system could be considered complete.

Starting from the 1960s, plans in the Rhine-Ruhr region saw for the metre-gauge trams to be replaced by a core network of Stadtbahn light-rail routes, using Stadtbahnwagen B cars on standard gauge, running grade-separated including significant tunneled sections. For Bogestra the following lines were planned:

Of these extensive plans, only line U35 between Herne and Bochum Ruhr-University has been build to standard, all other constructed tunnels are being used by the metre-gauge tramways to cross Bochum and Gelsenkirchen city centres.

Stadtbahn tunnel sections
Opening dateSectionUsed byNotes
26 May 1979Bochum, Bergmannsheil ramp – Bochum Hbf308,318
28 November 1981Bochum Hbf – Ruhrstadion ramp308,316,318
1 September 1984Gelsenkirchen, Rheinelbestraße ramp – Musiktheater107,301,302Musiktheater surface stop
2 September 1989Herne, Schloß Strünkede – Bochum HbfU35standard gauge
28 November 1993Bochum Hbf – Wasserstraße rampU35standard gauge
24 May 1994Gelsenk. Heinrich-König-Platz – Ruhr-Zoo ramp301via Musiktheater tunnel platforms
26 January 2006Bochum, Jacob-Mayer-Straße ramp – Lohring ramp302,305,310Hbf lower level
26 January 2006Bochum, Rathaus ramp – Bochum Hbf306,316Hbf upper level
26 January 2006connection tunnel 302,310 to 308,318non-revenuesingle track

The tunneled section from Bergmannsheil to Ruhrstadion ramp was the first completed in 1979-1981. During construction it was decided to raise the trackbed in stations and purchase Stadtbahnwagen type M cars to utilise the tunnels with tram routes before planned full completion of the system. The same applied for Gelsenkirchen's tunnel between Rheinelbestraße and Musiktheater stops in 1984.
The first significant change came about in 1989, when line U35 was completed between Herne and Bochum Hbf, using high-floor type B cars at high-floor platforms. The extension to Ruhr-Universität in 1993 upgraded a previous express tram to Stadtbahn standards. At Bochum Hbf, line U35 uses the inner tracks of the two lower level island platforms, with the outer tracks sitting vacant until 2006.
For Gelsenkirchen, 1994 saw the opening of the tunnel between Heinrich-König-Platz and Ruhr-Zoo, with line 301 now using the new tunnel platforms at Musiktheater, whilst 107 and 302 continue on the surface.
Finally, the cross-city tunnel in Bochum replaced the surface city centre route in 2006 between Jacob-Mayer-Straße and Lohring ramps. Two challenges that arose were allowing access to Engelsburg depot for trams 308/318 and 306, which previously also used the surface tracks. 306 now connects to the upper level of Bochum Hbf station through a fourth cross-city tunnel that enters a steep ramp next to Bochums city hall, crossing above the platforms of 302/310 on an underground bridge, and joining the 308/318 tunnel. Off this tunnel, a short single-track connection curve branches off, linking all metre-gauge routes.
A further upgrade of the metre-gauge network to full Stadtbahn standards or to neighbouring cities is not likely due to the political and financial constraints. The focus lies on improving the reliability and accessibility of the tramway network, as well as short extensions.

Current service

Stadtbahn

BOGESTRA currently exclusively operates Line U35, which is integrated in the Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn network. The U35 route runs between Herne and Bochum, serving 21 stations (15 of which are underground, with 6 being above-ground).

Line Route Stations
(underground)		 Comments
U35 Schloss Strünkede – Herne Bahnhof – Bochum-Riemke – Bochum Hauptbahnhof – Ruhr-Universität – Bochum-Querenburg, Hustadt 21
(15)		 Operated exclusively by BOGESTRA.

In addition, a second Stadtbahn line operates in the BOGESTRA region: one of the Essen Stadtbahn routes run by Ruhrbahn, Line U11, operates partially in the BOGESTRA transit area though only for its northernmost 3 stations.

Line Route Stations
(underground)		 Comments
U11 Gelsenkirchen-Horst Buerer Str. – Essen-Karnap – Altenessen – Berliner Platz – Essen Hbf – Rüttenscheid – Essen Messe/Gruga 23
(13)		 Operated by Ruhrbahn.
Only 3 stations in BOGESTRA area.

Tram

The tram system dates back to the 1890s. As of 2023, BOGESTRA exclusively operates the following nine tram lines:

Line Route Stations
(underground)		 Comments
301 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bismarck – Buer – Horst 34
(7)
302 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte - Langendreer S 44
(7)
305 Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Laer Mitte – Langendreer S 25
(4)
306 Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Bochum Hbf 21
(1)		 Also operates as a Night Express.
308 Bochum-Gerthe Schürbankstraße – Bochum Hbf – Weitmar – Linden – Hattingen Mitte 38
(4)
309 Langendreer S – Witten Papenholz – Witten Rathaus – Heven Dorf 14
(0)
310 Bochum-Höntrop Kirche – Bochum Hbf – Langendreer Markt – Witten Papenholz – Witten Rathaus – Heven Dorf 39
(4)
316 Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Bochum Hbf – Bochum-Gerthe Heinrichstraße 31
(2)
318 Bochum-Gerthe Schürbankstraße – Bochum Hbf – Weitmar – Linden – Dahlhausen Bf. 32
(4)		 Also operates as a Night Express.
Tw 1161 on line 107 and
Tw 1753 on a special trip
on Feldmarkstraße in Gelsenkirchen April 2006

In addition, a tenth tram line also operates in the BOGESTRA region: a tram route in Essen run by Ruhrbahn, Line 107, operates partially in the BOGESTRA transit area though only for its northernmost 11 stations.

Line Route Stations Comments
107 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Feldmark – Trabrennbahn – Essen-Katernberg – Zeche Zollverein – Essen Hbf – Bredeney 34 Operated by Ruhrbahn.
Only 11 stations in BOGESTRA area.
On Saturday mornings, only operates to Trabrennbahn.

Bus

As of 2025, BOGESTRA operates 71 bus lines. BOGESTRA bus lines are generally given route numbers in the 300s (like the tram route numbers).

Line Route Comments
SB 33 Bochum-Wattenscheid, August-Bebel-Platz – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität Express Bus Line
SB 36 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Musiktheater – Heßler – Nordsternpark – Schloss Horst – Gladbeck Oberhof – Goetheplatz – Gladbeck West – Bottrop-Kirchhellen Operated together with Vestische Straßenbahnen, Express Bus Line
SB 37 Bochum Hbf – Schauspielhaus – Königsallee – Henrichshütte – Hattingen – Niedersprockhövel – Haßlinghausen – Schwelm – Ennepetal Operated together with VER Ennepe-Ruhr, Express Bus Line
SB 67 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Freizeitbad Heveney – Herbede – Steinenhaus – Niedersprockhövel – Haßlinghausen – Wuppertal Hbf Operated by VER Ennepe-Ruhr,
Express Bus Line
194 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Rotthausen Achternbergstraße – Essen-Kray – Essen-Steele – Annental – Essen-Rellinghausen – Stadtwaldplatz – Villa Hügel – Bredeney – Essen-Haarzopf Operated together with Ruhrbahn
320 Witten-Rüdinghausen – Witten-Annen – Marienhospital – Witten Rathaus – Witten Hbf – Witten-Heven – Freizeitbad Heveney – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität / – Herbede – Steinenhaus – Niedersprockhövel
336 Bochum Hbf – Bochum Rathaus – Planetarium – Bochum-Grumme – Bochum-Harpen – Dortmund-Lütgendortmund
339 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Bochum Hbf – Bochum Rathaus – Planetarium – Bochum-Grumme – Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr-Park
340 Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen – Musiktheater – Bulmke-Hüllen – Röhlinghausen – Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Herne-Holsterhausen
342 Gelsenkirchen-Buer, Westfälische Hochschule – Schaffrath – Bahnhof Buer Süd – Sutum – Gelsenkirchen-Erle – ZOOM-Erlebniswelt – Wanne-Eickel Hbf
344 Bochum-Wattenscheid, Freiheitstraße – August-Bebel-Platz – Wattenscheid Bahnhof – Wattenscheid-Höntrop – Eppendorf – Bochum-Weitmar – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Hustadt – Bochum-Querenburg, Hochschule Bochum
345 Bochum-Dahlhausen – Eppendorf – Wattenscheider Straße – Bochum Rathaus – Bochum Hbf – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Altenbochum – Bochum-Laer – Bochum-Werne – Bochum-Langendreer, Knappschafts-Krankenhaus
346 Bochum-Wattenscheid, Freiheitstraße – August-Bebel-Platz – Wattenscheid-Höntrop – Bochum-Weitmar – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Hustadt – Bochum-Querenburg, Hochschule Bochum
348 Gelsenkirchen-Hüllen, Konradstraße – Bulmke-Hüllen – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen – Essen-Kraspothshöhe – Essen-Katernberg
349 Bochum Hbf – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Bochum-Weitmar / – Bochum-Stiepel, Haarstraße
350 Bochum Hbf – Schauspielhaus – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Bochum-Stiepel – Steinenhaus – Blankenstein – Welper – Henrichshütte – Hattingen Mitte
352 Bochum-Hofstede – Bochum-Hamme – Wattenscheider Straße – Bochum-Eppendorf
353 Bochum-Weitmar - Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Schauspielhaus – Bochum Hbf – Bochum Rathaus – Bochum-Grumme – Hiltrop – Bochum-Gerthe – Schürbankstraße – Castrop-Rauxel Münsterplatz
354 Bochum-Weitmar, Sundern – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Bochum Hbf – Planetarium – Bochum-Grumme – Bochum-Riemke Operated using electric busses
355 Bochum-Dahlhausen – Eppendorf – Bochum-Ehrenfeld – Bochum Rathaus – Bochum Hbf – Hauptfriedhof – Bochum-Laer – Bochum-Werne – Bochum-Langendreer
356 Bochum Hbf – Bochum-Wiemelhausen – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität
357 Bochum-Dahlhausen – Eisenbahnmuseum – Bochum-Linden – Bochum-Oberdahlhausen
358 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Altenbochum – Bochum-Laer – Hauptfriedhof – Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park
359 Bochum-Dahlhausen – Bochum-Linden – Rauendahl – Hattingen – Hattingen-Holthausen, Klinik Holthausen
363 Wattenscheid-Südfeldmark – Freiheitstraße – August-Bebel-Platz – Wattenscheid-Höntrop Kirche – Essen-Steele
364 Bochum-Langendreer – Bochum-Werne – Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park – Bochum-Gerthe – Schürbankstraße – Castrop-Rauxel Münsterplatz
365 Bochum Hbf – Bochum Rathaus – Schauspielhaus – Bochum-Weitmar – Wattenscheid-Höntrop – Wattenscheid Bahnhof – August-Bebel-Platz – Freiheitstraße – Wattenscheid-Leithe, Kaufland Ottostraße
366 Bochum-Langendreer – Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park – Hiltrop – Herne Bahnhof – Bochum-Riemke
368 Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park – Altenbochum – Bochum Hbf – Bochum Rathaus – Bochum-Hamme – Hordel – Röhlinghausen – Wanne-Eickel Hbf
369 Dortmund-Lütgendortmund – Bochum-Langendreer – Dortmund-Lütgendortmund Ring Line
370 Bochum-Stiepel – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Bochum-Langendreer – Bochum-Werne – Dortmund-Lütgendortmund
372 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Bochum-Laer – Bochum-Langendreer – Bochum-Werne
374 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Witten-Heven – Herbede
375 Witten-Annen – Marienhospital – Witten Rathaus – Witten Hbf – Witten–Heven – Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität / – Durchholzer Platz – Witten-Herbede
376 Hagen-Vorhalle Bahnhof – Herdecke – Auf dem Schnee – Marienhospital – Witten Rathaus – Witten Hbf
378 Bochum-Querenburg, Ruhr-Universität – Bochum-Langendreer – Dortmund-Lütgendortmund – Castrop-Rauxel Münsterplatz
379 Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park – Bochum-Werne – Bochum-Langendreer – Marienhospital – Witten Rathaus – Witten Hbf – Witten-Bommern – Durchholzer Platz – Haßlinghausen
380 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Musiktheater – Gelsenkirchen-Schalke – Schloss Berge – Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus Operated using electric busses
381 Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Gelsenkirchen-Schalke – Gelsenkirchen-Erle – Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus / – Gelsenkirchen-Resse
382 Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck, Trinenkamp – Gelsenkirchen Zoo Bahnhof – Haverkamp – Bulmke-Hüllen – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Gelsenkirchen-Feldmark
383 Gelsenkirchen-Horst – Schloss Horst – Nordsternpark – Heßler – Musiktheater – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf – Wattenscheid-Günnigfeld – Gelsenkirchen-Bulmke-Hüllen
384 Wanne-Eickel Hbf – Haverkamp – Trinenkamp – Gelsenkirchen-Schalke – Gelsenkirchen-Heßler
385 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Neustadt – Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf – Röhlinghausen – Herne-Eickel – Bochum-Riemke
386 Bochum-Wattenscheid, Schlaraffiastraße – Wattenscheid Bahnhof – Freiheitstraße – August-Bebel-Platz – Wattenscheid-Westenfeld
388 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Gelsenkirchen-Feldmark – Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf, Marienhospital Operated using electric busses
389 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Marienhospital – Wattenscheid-Leithe – Freiheitstraße – August-Bebel-Platz – Wattenscheid Bahnhof – Wattenscheid-Höntrop
390 Bochum-Linden – Eppendorf – Wattenscheid-Höntrop – August-Bebel-Platz – Freiheitstraße – Wattenscheid-Günnigfeld – Röhlinghausen Markt – Herne-Eickel – Herne Bahnhof
392 Gelsenkirchen-Erle – Stadthafen – ZOOM-Erlebniswelt – Gelsenkirchen Zoo Bahnhof – Haverkamp – Gelsenkirchen-Bismarck
395 Bochum-Harpen, Ruhr Park – Bochum-Grumme – Hofstede – Herne-Holsterhausen
396 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Schaffrath – Schloss Horst – Gelsenkirchen-Horst
397 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen–Erle – Gelsenkirchen-Resser Mark
398 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen-Erle – Gelsenkirchen-Sutum
399 Gelsenkirchen-Buer Rathaus – Gelsenkirchen-Buer, Westfälische Hochschule

Night express bus

In addition, there are a total of 15 bus lines whose operation only takes place at nights before weekend and federal state holidays.

Line Route
NE1 Bochum Hbf – Stahlhausen – Wattenscheid – Günnigfeld – Hordel – Hamme – Grumme – Bochum Hbf
NE2 Bochum Hbf – Grumme – Hiltrop – Gerthe – Kirchharpen – Kornharpen – Grumme – Bochum Hbf
NE3 Bochum Hbf – Altenbochum – Laer – Werne – Langendreer – Laer – Altenbochum – Bochum Hbf
NE4 Bochum Hbf – Stiepel – Hattingen-Welper – Hattingen Mitte – Holthausen – Sprockhövel – Schwelm
NE5 Bochum Hbf – Stahlhausen – Wattenscheid-Eppendorf – BO-Dahlhausen
NE6 Bochum Hbf – Stahlhausen – Wattenscheid-Höntrop – Westenfeld – Wattenscheid – Höntrop – Stahlhausen – Bochum Hbf
NE7 Bochum Hbf – Steinkuhl – Querenburg – Hustadt – Weitmar – Wiemelhausen – Bochum Hbf
NE8 Bochum Hbf – Wiemelhausen – Weitmar – Hustadt – Querenburg – Steinkuhl – Bochum Hbf
NE10 Bochum Hbf – Wattenscheid – Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf – Schalke – Buer Rathaus
NE11 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Schalke – Berger Feld – Erle – Buer Rathaus
NE12 Gelsenkirchen-Ückendorf – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Bulmke-Hüllen – Haverkamp – Bismarck – Erle – Resse – Buer Rathaus
NE13 Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Ückendorf – Bochum-Wattenscheid – Leithe – Essen-Kray – Schonnebeck – Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen – Gelsenkirchen Hbf
NE14 Gelsenkirchen-Rotthausen – Gelsenkirchen Hbf – Heßler – Horst – Beckhausen – Buer Rathaus
NE17 Bochum-Querenburg – WIT-Herbede – Witten Hbf – Bommern – Rathaus – Heven – Bochum-Querenburg
NE18 Bochum-Langendreer – Witten Hbf – Rathaus – Annen – Stockum – Rathaus – Bochum-Langendreer

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Umwelterklärung EMAS 2024" (PDF) (in German). BOGESTRA AG. p. 30. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  2. 1 2 "Millionen mehr Fahrgäste: Trotzdem warnt Bogestra deutlich" (in German). BOGESTRA AG. Retrieved 2026-03-23.
  3. ↑ (German)https://vhag-bogestra.de/2024/11/03/historisches-stichwort-november-2024/
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "BOGESTRA-Schienennetzplan" [BOGESTRA-Rail Network Plan] (PDF) (in German). BOGESTRA AG. 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2026-03-15.
  5. ↑ "Stadtlinienplan Bochum" (in German). BOGESTRA AG. Retrieved 2026-03-16.

51°28′27″N 7°13′30″E / 51.47417°N 7.22500°E / 51.47417; 7.22500