Status: 13.12.2022 4:08 p.m
The “Rail Acceleration Commission” presented 125 pages of proposals for a modern railway. New points, longer overtaking tracks, more digital networking – the question of when and the financing remains.
The introductory words of the expert report already make it clear in what bad condition the rails in Germany are. There is talk of “obsolete infrastructure” and “urgently required repair measures”. The many millions of rail users would certainly not have needed this report, as they experience every day that something is wrong. Massive delays or complete failures make it clear: Deutsche Bahn has a problem. And that too with their rails.
In order to find out which routes require particularly urgent action, the Ministry of Transport commissioned a commission in the summer. The “Rail Acceleration Commission” has detailed what needs to be done on 125 pages. From the point of view of the Ministry of Transport, the report that is now available is a great success, also because representatives of various sectors have contributed, including experts for transport and from the construction industry.
29 million euros
As early as 2021, experts have estimated that the pent-up demand for investments would swallow up around 29 billion euros. A gigantic sum – and more than the entire transport department has in the coming budget. That is why it is necessary to prioritize, according to the experts. So-called high-performance corridors will soon be determined. This means routes that are particularly important and used particularly intensively, for example the route between Hamburg and Berlin. Construction work is to be concentrated here. Other fields of action defined by the Commission include short-term repairs and the use of digital data to bring the ailing system into shape.
Fund financing
That leaves the not unimportant question of financing. The Commission has also thought about this – and they are quite exciting. On the one hand, because, unlike in the past, financing will be funded in the future. A fund for the preservation of existing rail networks, a second for investments in new sections. The introduction of funds would be new and a fiscal policy gimmick. The Commission of Experts hopes that this will result in more long-term and more sensible financing for the complex projects.
In addition, the Commission proposes to break new ground in order to provide the billion-euro program with sufficient money. Among other things, the expected additional income from the truck toll should be used. That would be a direct shift from road to rail.
While the Commission would like speed, it could still take some time before the proposals become reality. After all, there is already a possible name for the law that is still to be written: “Modern Rail Law”. Transport Minister Volker Wissing stated that he would submit the rail report to the cabinet as soon as possible. He hopes for broad approval and thus momentum for the further legislative process. Millions of rail customers in the country would certainly be grateful if the condition of the rails improved as soon as possible and many delays and cancellations came to an end.