The eight German railroad associations are presenting three joint core demands to establish rail transport in Germany as a key pillar of the transport transition. The associations are calling on the next federal government to systematically strengthen rail transport in order to secure the industry's contribution to climate protection, the economy and mobility.

The market share of rail freight transport is to increase to 25 percent by 2030, while passenger rail transport is to be doubled. Despite clear objectives, the industry's leading representatives have so far failed to consistently implement the necessary transport policy measures.

Ensure long-term financing of the infrastructure

An efficient and reliable rail network is the basis for more rail traffic. The associations are calling for the creation of a long-term and legally anchored fund solution for the financing of replacement investments, maintenance and modernization. A long-term strategy should drive forward the expansion and digitalization of the infrastructure, including ETCS and digital interlockings, as well as the electrification and modernization of the regional network. In addition, the requirements of the non-federally owned railroads, which are an indispensable part of the overall system and require needs-based funding, must be taken into account.

Reform of infrastructure charges

The current structure of infrastructure charges represents an immense obstacle to the competitiveness of rail. The associations advocate the introduction of marginal cost pricing, in which the direct costs of a train journey are covered, while uncovered infrastructure costs are compensated via budget funds. Until this new framework is implemented, they are calling for targeted relief measures to support transport companies in rail freight and rail passenger transport.

Strengthen rail freight transport, expand passenger transport capacities

As an industrial and logistics location, Germany is dependent on strong rail freight transport. The associations emphasize that the expansion of passing and loading tracks and the creation of new access points to the rail network, such as sidings and multimodal transhipment points, must be urgently accelerated. Innovations such as digital automatic coupling (DAK) should be introduced with the support of the federal government in order to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of freight transport.

Passenger rail transport remains the backbone of public mobility. In order to strengthen local transport across the board, an increase in regionalization funds is required, which will also secure the ongoing operation of the Deutschlandticket in the long term. Attractive stations and universal tickets should make it easier for passengers to access sustainable mobility.

In long-distance transport, the associations emphasize the importance of a competitive market framework in order to mobilize private capital and increase the variety of services. The Deutschlandtakt as a binding overall concept must be specified in stages and implemented quickly in order to enable more efficient use of existing capacities.

Need for action at all levels

The eight German rail associations are calling for a resolute transport policy that establishes rail as a central pillar of the mobility transition. The ambitious modal shift targets can only be achieved with a clear political framework and binding measures. The expansion of rail is not only a contribution to climate protection and energy efficiency, but also a prerequisite for economic resilience and securing mobility in Germany.

The associations emphasize that now is the time to create a future-proof rail infrastructure that meets the requirements of the economy, the environment and society.

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