Deutsche Bahn punctuality drops to record low
In November, only every second long-distance train of Deutsche Bahn was on time, with punctuality at 52 per cent being a new low for this year. The many construction works on the German tracks to...Read more
Deutschlandticket to continue for a year, some funding modalities remain unclear
The heads of government of the federal states have agreed on further steps to ensure that the Deutschlandticket can continue to be used in local transport, at the Minister Presidents’ Conference in the Federal Chancellery...Read more
49-euro Deutschlandticket ‘revolution with great potential’, says German rail alliance
Four months ago, the Deutschlandticket was introduced in Germany, a monthly rail subscription ticket for unlimited travel for a flat fee of 49 euros. The German Pro-Rail Alliance draws a positive interim balance, and appeals...Read more
‘Urgent investments’ needed for German rail infrastructure, but will they be made?
Recently, the German coalition government decided to break with the ‘road finances road’ principle, outlined in a reform package. But will the needed investments in railway infrastructure – 45 billion euros until 2027 – be...Read more
Germany breaks with ‘road finances road’, money will go to rail
Eighty per cent of the money from the CO2 surcharge of the German truck toll will from 2024 onwards go to railway investments, instead of road. This decision comes after a three-day retreat where the...Read more
How can rail infrastructure improvements in Germany be accelerated?
Less bureaucracy in the planning processes and simplifying financing by creating two funds with clear goals, these and other proposals were handed over in a report to German Transport Minister Volker Wissing this week. The...Read more
Germany unlikely to reach rail electrification target
AnalysisThe electrification of the rail network in Germany is progressing slowly, while a clear target of 75 percent by 2030 is set. “Virtually nothing has happened in Germany since 2019. Just 61 percent of the rail...Read more
Pilot with cross-company train driver deployment to ease strain on rail freight in Germany
Deploying train drivers more flexibly across the many rail freight companies in Germany could make better use of rail capacity, which is currently straining in many places in the country. A project with the Pro-Rail...Read more
‘German rail budget not enough as construction costs continue to rise’
The German federal budget for railways that was approved by the Federal Cabinet on Friday is “not even enough to absorb the increase in construction costs for the rail infrastructure”, says the non-profit transport alliance...Read more
German transport alliance blasts government over lack of rail progress
Transport association Allianz pro Schiene has taken aim at the German ministry of Transport over what it calls a lack of progress regarding the so-called Deutschlandtakt, a massive multi-year overhaul of the German railway network....Read more
Rail electrification can reduce European fossil fuel dependency
The discussion on European energy policy is again gaining traction. Transport associations are voicing how rail can be a gamechanger, reducing Europe’s dependence on oil suppliers and fossil fuels.Read more
European Year of Rail failed to gain traction, new report says
The European Year of Rail 2021 has had little immediate impact on the general public, a new report by Dutch advisory firm Berenschot published in February says. It did, however, raise the profile of rail...Read more
‘Trains should be able to cross Europe more easily’
Much progress has been made in the past year with fast connections, night trains and investments in the networks. But despite this, national borders in the EU are still major obstacles on the railways, says...Read more