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
European Year of Rail mixed bag, says German association
The European Year of Rail has been a partial succes, German transport association Allianz pro Schiene says in a first assessment published in the last week of 2021.Read more
Rail before road in new German government plans
The new German coalition will invest ‘considerably more in the railways than in the roads’. The SPD, Greens and FDP presented their plans in a coalition agreement on Wednesday, which include plans to lower infrastructure...Read more
DB reactivates 20 decommisioned routes
Deutsche Bahn will revive 20 lines with a total of 245 kilometers of track. “Every kilometer of track is active climate protection”, says DB Network Board Member Jens Bergmann. Deutsche Bahn presented its plans on...Read more
German rail industry: invest in infrastructure, digitalisation and modal shift
At the beginning of the German election year 2021, eight railway associations presented their most important demands for their next federal government. Three billion euros a year for infrastructure, the entire digitalisation of the railways...Read more
Deutsche Bahn: wi-fi a basic need for travellers
German national railway company Deutsche Bahn has recognised wi-fi connection as a basic need for travellers. To this end, it launched a major investment programme to provide this option at more than 130 stations and...Read more