The Ministry of Transport in Germany (BMV) has approved a revised agenda for the renovation program for the comprehensive lines of the German railway (DB). The new plan was developed by the DB InfroGo infrastructure director, after consulting with industry and federal states.
The original program, which was presented last year, included the full closure of the main corridors while the basic infrastructure, including track, civil structures and signs, were replaced at the same time. However, DB has faced increasing criticism that the program did not provide sufficient ability on manufacturing and that its impact on the operations would be very severe. A major disturbance was expected until the program was completed in 2030.
The revised schedule of DB InfroGo reduced the amount of planned work in any year in 2028 by upwards, which will extend the program for six years to 2036. The infrastructure director also suggests a decrease in the access to the pathway on the transformative roads so that the workers do not pay more than they were on their original paths. DB InfroGo proposes a pre -defined percentage of each conversion path, starting in 2026. However, this requires approval from the Federal Network Agency (BNA), with an unexpected decision before November.
With construction contracts already, work will be held as planned next year on the following ways: Hagen – Wuppertal – Cologne; Nuremberg – Regingberg; Obertraubling – Passau; Troisdorf – Unkl; Unsel – Wiesbaden.
2027 plans also remain the formulation of origin, although consultation with local operators and local transport authorities. The roads concerned are: Rosenheim – Salzburg; Lerte – Berlin; Bremerfen – Bremen; And Volda – Hanaw. DB InfroGo indicates that it has already granted contracts for bus operators to provide railway replacement services in 2026 and 2027.
From 2028 onwards, four lines will be worked as a maximum, with another, Flinsburg – Hamburg, to be held in 2036.
reaction
The industry reaction was largely positive. “We are pleased that this sequence is widely coordinated for comprehensive renovations throughout the country now provides security security for the next ten years,” says the head of the Federal Railways Association (BNV), Thomas Brechtel. “It is now important that the line closing for a month also leads to noticeable improvements in the service for travelers thanks to the new operating directive schedule.”
The major railway organizations, including the German Shipping Association (Die Güterbahnen), the German Transport Companies Association (VDV) and Mofair, which represent private operators, welcomed the revised program.
However, in a joint statement they say they will retain the judgment on new plans until a number of major issues are clarified. These include transparency and communication, including comprehensive consultation with railway industry bodies in all pre -closed measures and after closure in order to evaluate the effect on services reliably; Upgrading the planned transmission methods to reduce the loss of capacity while the conversions are in use; And guaranteeing a period free of business from at least five years after completing the work on each corridor.
