Gathering of Transport Ministers Endorses Bremen's Call for Specific Grants for Transport Infrastructure Development
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In a bid to ensure economic success and mobility, a future-proof infrastructure policy has gained prominence in Germany. This was a key topic at the Conference of Transport Ministers, which concluded in Duisburg on October 10. One of the main concerns discussed was the rising track prices of DB InfraGO AG, a state-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, for rail infrastructure.
DB InfraGO AG is actively involved in operating key rail infrastructure projects on the German side of international lines, such as the Dresden-Prague high-speed rail. This indicates progress in securing and managing large-scale rail infrastructure investments. Notably, the Czech government has approved a significant state treaty for the construction of a 30+ km tunnel through the Ore Mountains as part of the Dresden-Prague high-speed rail line, with DB InfraGO AG managing operations on the German side.
However, when it comes to track pricing reform specifically in Germany, detailed or recent progress is not explicitly found in the available information. The model where the federal government has more direct control over infrastructure, as suggested by DB InfraGO AG's operations, might be part of broader structural reforms, but precise updates on pricing reforms or new funding mechanisms for modernization are not available.
Senator Özil Uşal, Bremen's transport minister, has expressed concerns about the impact of cuts in the federal budget 2024 on the implementation of new and expansion projects of the demand plan rail. He emphasizes the need to continue enabling the implementation of projects in the demand plan rail and calls for a secure financing basis to prevent a halt in these projects.
The CMK (Combined Transport Ministers Conference) is advocating for the financing of these projects to be secured to prevent a planned stop at many projects of the demand plan rail. They are emphasizing the importance of securing financing for the successful expansion of RPT (Rail Passenger Transport) as the backbone of public transport.
The rising costs of track pricing are in contrast to the stagnating regionalization funds from the federal government. This situation is particularly challenging for cities like Bremen, which require renovation and modernization, such as large bridges. Senator Uşal has stated that investments in transport infrastructure should be considered as part of public service provision.
In response to these challenges, the CMK demands that the federal government reform track prices and increase regionalization funds. They are also advocating for the creation of a new infrastructure fund for rail and road, a decision made at the Conference of Transport Ministers.
This news article provides an overview of the current state of rail infrastructure modernization in Germany, highlighting both progress and areas that require further attention and action. As the basis for the infrastructure fund will be created by the next federal election, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed in the coming months.
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1) In light of the rising track prices and the stagnating regionalization funds, Senator Özil Uşal has called for a secure financing basis to prevent a halt in the implementation of rail expansion projects in Bremen, considering investments in transport infrastructure as part of public service provision.
2) The Combined Transport Ministers Conference (CMK) is advocating for the financing of rail expansion projects to be secured to prevent a halt in these projects, emphasizing the importance of securing financing for the successful expansion of Rail Passenger Transport (RPT) as the backbone of public transport.
3) The CMK, in response to the challenges in rail infrastructure modernization, is demanding that the federal government reform track prices, increase regionalization funds, and create a new infrastructure fund for rail and road, decisions made at the Conference of Transport Ministers. This new fund, to be created by the next federal election, may provide a solution to the issues of economic success and mobility in the transportation industry and finance.
