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German Rail’s Wishlist for the Next Government: Funding, Reforms, and Innovation

German Rail’s Wishlist for the Next Government: Funding, Reforms, and Innovation
photo: TeaMesiter / Flickr/DB InterCity train in Berlin, Germany
16 / 01 / 2025

Eight German rail associations have united to present three fundamental demands to the federal government that will emerge from the upcoming elections.

Germany’s rail unions have unveiled three critical demands for the next federal government. These include long-term funding, fair pricing reforms, and a push for innovation in rail transport.

Establish a Reliable and Realistic Financing Structure for Rail Infrastructure

The associations argue that growth in the rail sector is only possible with efficient, reliable, and resilient rail infrastructure. This requires a stable and adequate long-term financial foundation. The unions advocate for a legally mandated multi-year financial framework for rail infrastructure, lasting at least five years.

Investment planning must also include the digitalization of infrastructure, as it is directly linked to the safety standards of rail vehicles. The federal government should introduce a realistic and reliable strategy for the implementation and funding of ETCS (European Train Control System) and further network electrification plans. Annual updates to these strategies are essential and should involve transport operators and the rail industry.

Reform Track Access Charges

All associations have criticized the recent sharp increase in track access charges (as previously reported by RAILTARGET). In Germany, infrastructure charges are announced only for the duration of one timetable year, leaving rail companies unable to plan for the long term.

The unions demand pricing based on marginal costs, which could significantly reduce the financial burden on transport operators. Until such reform is implemented, the legislature should introduce support measures, particularly in the form of track access fee reductions, to provide relief to heavily burdened transport modes and help retain customers in the rail sector.

Promote Rail Transport in Competitive Markets

To further strengthen freight rail transport, the eight associations propose short-term measures to enhance operations on key corridors of Germany's rail network.

The unions call for:

  • Accelerated overtaking measures,
  • Access to additional sidings with a minimum usable length of 740 meters,
  • Creation of new access points to the rail network, and
  • Expansion of existing facilities such as spurs, terminals for combined transport (CT), and multimodal hubs.

Additionally, market participants should receive support for adopting innovative solutions, such as train automation in freight transport. The associations explicitly identify Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) as a key technology for enhancing the efficiency of rail freight transport.

German Rail Associations Behind These Demands:

  • Pro-Rail Alliance
  • Federal Association of Local Rail Transport
  • Freight Railways
  • Mofair
  • Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD)
  • Association of the German Rail Industry (VDB)
  • Association of German Transport Companies (VDV)
  • Association of Private Freight Car Owners (VPI)

Source: Deutsche Verkehrszeitung

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