German Rail (DB) currently operates the service but intends to cease operation in October as part of its plan to end all DB-operated overnight services by mid December.
The Hamburg to Lörrach motor rail service has been in operation for decades and enables motorists from northern Germany to avoid the long drive through Germany to Switzerland. Lörrach is located very close to the Swiss city of Basle.
BTE is a specialist charter and contract long-distance operator based in Nuremberg and has a fleet of couchette coaches which it will use for the service. BTE also intends to offer a restaurant car in its new Hamburg - Lörrach service.
BTE has submitted track access requests to DB Networks for the paths used previously by DB for its new service and these are expected to be agreed in time for the start of services.
