The nation doubts whether Berlin Airport can. But the old TXL can now bus station! The large hub for the daily redistribution of up to 10,000 Ukraine refugees was opened on the tarmac on Sunday.
Within just one week, most of it was pounded out of the ground: “In times of crisis, Berlin is in top form,” said the governing Franziska Giffey (43, SPD).
The most important stations:
► Right of way for BVG buses: “Welcome” in Ukrainian is written on the line indicators. They bring all new arrivals from the main train station and central bus station (ZOB) to Tegel. 200 trips a day are expected.
►Registration tent: Name and passport data are typed in at 120 counters – the program (still “Easy”, from Wednesday “Free”) throws out the destination. It is distributed according to the so-called Königstein key – only 5 percent of the refugees for Berlin.
► Terminal A/B: Up to 3,000 refugees should be able to sleep in bunk beds for up to three nights. There are corona tests, vaccination offers, childcare here. Those who can stay in Berlin land here and are distributed from here to other accommodations in the city.
► waiting tent: Since they are not under monument protection, the benches from the VIP areas of TXL and Schönefeld could be set up here. Here the newcomers spend the time until they continue their journey to other cities in white coaches – the vehicles are provided by the federal government.
► Federal tents: There are three large tents behind the vaccination center in the former Air Berlin terminal. Up to 900 people can sleep here for a maximum of one night when the coach drivers have to keep driving times and take a break.
So far, Berlin has made advance payments for expenditure: 26 million euros (excluding social welfare offices)! The amount of the federal contribution is still open.