SÜWEX

SÜWEX (short for Südwest-Express) is a German regional rail brand operated by DB Regio Mitte, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn. Since 14 December 2014, it has provided fast regional passenger services on behalf of the transport authorities of Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, as well as parts of Baden-Württemberg and Hesse. The network connects major cities such as Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, and Luxembourg. The service uses new electric multiple units with modern interior concepts, distinguishing it from other DB regional offerings. The brand was officially launched with a presentation run on 29 November 2014, attended by then Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate Malu Dreyer, and entered regular service with the timetable change on 14 December 2014. SÜWEX trains are Stadler FLIRT 160 (third generation) five-car electric multiple units, 28 of which were procured. They offer step-free access at 76 cm platforms, air conditioning, power sockets, video surveillance, 24 bicycle spaces (expandable to 36), two toilets (one accessible), and free Wi-Fi (50 MB per day since August 2018). The livery is based on lilac-white (RAL 290 93 05), with red triangles on the front; from 2023 some trains were repainted with fully traffic-red fronts. The network comprises five lines: RE 1 (Mannheim–Koblenz via Saarbrücken and Trier), RE 11 (Koblenz–Luxembourg), RE 2 (Frankfurt–Koblenz via Mainz), RE 4 (Frankfurt–Karlsruhe via Mainz), and RE 14 (Frankfurt–Mannheim via Mainz). SÜWEX also took over local rail passenger services on the Moselle line. The service includes mobile cleaning teams, on-board staff, and occasional mobile catering. A pilot project offers free seat reservations for subscribers in the northern Rhineland-Palatinate transport association area via an app. Standard transport association tariffs apply, with special offers for commuters and leisure travelers.

SÜWEX was introduced as a brand for fast regional express services in southwest Germany. The presentation run took place on 29 November 2014, with the then Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer, on board. Official operations began with the timetable change on 14 December 2014, when DB Regio Südwest (renamed DB Regio Mitte on 1 January 2017) took over the services under contract from the regional transport authorities. The network initially covered connections between Koblenz, Trier, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, and Mainz, as well as linking Frankfurt am Main, Karlsruhe, Mannheim, and Luxembourg. New electric multiple units were procured to offer a modern travel experience. In August 2018, free Wi-Fi with a daily data volume of 50 MB was introduced on board. At the end of 2018, lines RE 4 and RE 14, which previously terminated in Mainz, were extended to Frankfurt via the north Main line, saving ten minutes compared to RE 2. From 2023, some trains received a new livery with fully traffic-red fronts. The brand continues to operate as part of DB Regio Mitte.

• Presentation run held on 29 November 2014 with Minister-President Malu Dreyer.

• Official launch with timetable change on 14 December 2014.

• DB Regio Südwest renamed DB Regio Mitte on 1 January 2017.

• Free Wi-Fi (50 MB/day) introduced in August 2018.

• Lines RE 4 and RE 14 extended to Frankfurt at the end of 2018.

• Partial repainting with traffic-red fronts from 2023.

Fast regional express services in southwest Germany with modern, accessible trains and enhanced on-board service.

• RE 1: Mannheim – Koblenz via Saarbrücken and Trier

• RE 11: Koblenz – Luxembourg

• RE 2: Frankfurt – Koblenz via Mainz

• RE 4: Frankfurt – Karlsruhe via Mainz

• RE 14: Frankfurt – Mannheim via Mainz

1. 1SÜWEX: Ihr Regional-Express im Südwestensuewex.de
2. 2SÜWEX – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3SÜWEX – Wikidatawikidata.org