Tram Service Upgrade Plan Nightmare; BVB Consolidates Airport Bus Service; Kids Graffiti Project Decorates Popular Underpass; Blindekuh Receives Basel Social Prize

News For 9 May 2017

Unless you've not been in Basel lately, you've noticed by now that major construction continues on Basel's Tram system.  Last weekend, the tracks were completely removed connecting Basel's SBB and Aeschenplatz, forcing the interruption or change of service on the 3, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16 lines.  Though that construction site is expected to be on line in two weeks time, memories of last summer's traffic and commute interruptions along Marktplatz and Schifflande still have residents' nerves frayed.  And before you get your hopes up that the worst will be over soon, 16 additional tram construction sites are planned to be active through 2017 as part of a general upgrade of tram track infrastructure.  From the middle of June to August, the Mittlere Brucke will be completely shut to tram and auto traffic.  You might be asking yourself by now when will all the "Klapp and Klang" finally end - according to BVB Director Erich Lagler, 2020 will see the completed upgrade of the entire system.

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Starting in 2019, the BVB will take over the airport bus service, the number 50, which runs between Bahnhof SBB and the EuroAirport. Since 2007 the BVB has had a contract with Postauto, which had the BVB providing the green buses, and Postauto the drivers. The contract is expiring in 2018 and will not be renewed, according to both transportation companies. In the past few years, both companies have been expanding the offer on the 50 bus line, running up to 8 buses per day. According to the BVB, one of the reasons for letting the contract expire is to save money.

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Last weekend, the underpass connecting Heuwaage with the Zoo neighborhood hosted 9 children working on a city-sanctioned graffiti project.  The 8-12 year olds are participating in a program  called "Kids With Effect" a collaboration between the Office of Children's Affairs and the Department of Education meant to improve the safety and cleanliness of Basel.  The kids had the help of Street Artist and Illustrator Daniel Zeltner.  Those walking through the underpass now will find the grey walls replaced by colorful designs reflecting Basel-based themes and motifs.

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The city of Basel has awarded the restaurant “Blindekuh” the social prize for business. The 10’000 CHF prize shows appreciation for this extraordinary establishment. The restaurant in Gundeli serves meals in complete darkness, providing those with sight the opportunity to experience an everyday activity, like eating, in the context of those that are visually impaired. In addition to offering a very different culinary, the restaurant is recognized as an employer of the blind, currently employing 8 visually impaired people out of their 30-person crew.