Train travel is to become more reliable. A modernization campaign is planned for this purpose. It is to start immediately after the European Football Championship – with the biggest problem child in the rail network.
One month before the start of a general renovation of important train routes, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing has given rail customers hope for fundamental improvements. “We will invest billions in the next few years to completely renovate the main routes so that we stop having unforeseen construction sites that lead to these delays and all the problems,” said the FDP politician in a video interview with dpa.
The first route to be completely renovated immediately after the end of the European Football Championship will be the Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim, which will be closed completely until mid-December. Such a general renovation is planned for a total of 40 heavily used routes in Germany by 2030, so that the trains will be more punctual and reliable again.
After renovation “virtually trouble-free”
“I assume that every corridor that has been renovated will be virtually trouble-free afterwards,” says Wissing. If there are no disruptions on the route, no more delays are to be expected. “Of course, with every mode of transport there are always environmental influences or extreme weather conditions that lead to difficulties, but these are exceptions. The problem we have with the network today is that it is so dilapidated that parts of the system are constantly defective. And setting up a construction site on the tracks obviously has an incredible impact on all traffic.”
Closing a route for five months would be a major intervention in the network. After that, however, trains could run on time in regular service for decades.
“Rail replacement service deluxe”
With regard to the Riedbahn, Wissing said that the replacement service “will be a deluxe rail replacement service” compared to the normal replacement service. “The buses will be equipped with high-quality equipment, with toilets, WiFi and so on, so that customers feel comfortable on the replacement service over these five months and then return when the train is fit enough to run on time again,” said the minister. As a commercial enterprise, the railway has an interest in retaining its customers during the closure.
The Riedbahn is the biggest problem child in the rail network. “That’s why we’re tackling it first.” It is the most frequently used corridor in Germany, said Wissing. “We have a lot of international transit traffic on it, but also all the traffic from the north to the south of Germany. And this route is extremely dilapidated.” There are one or more operational disruptions practically every day. “You could say that this main route is only available for train traffic to a very limited extent.” It will be completely renovated and equipped with new technology.
“Of course, as with everything that is renewed, you assume that you will not have to make any repairs and that means that the situation will improve immediately as soon as the route is reopened.” The route will be reopened for Christmas traffic. “And of course we assume that you will then be able to have trouble-free operations there, just like on any new route.”
Source: Stern
