Meeting of Transport Ministers Endorses Bremen's Plea for Specialized Financing for Transport Infrastructure Development
In a recent Transport Ministers' Conference held in Duisburg, the focus was on securing a future-proof transport infrastructure for Germany. The conference, which concluded on October 10th, addressed the rising track prices of DB InfraGO AG and their impact on passenger rail transport (SPNV) [6].
The proposed infrastructure fund in Germany is addressing these concerns by allocating substantial financial resources to maintain and modernize the federal railway network. In 2025, approximately €7.6 billion is earmarked specifically for construction cost contributions to maintain the federal railway infrastructure, alongside around €1.6 billion dedicated to rolling out ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) across rail infrastructure [1].
These investments aim to mitigate cost pressures such as those from DB InfraGO AG’s increasing track access prices by improving infrastructure efficiency, capacity, and interoperability. This should support passenger rail transport usage and quality despite rising operational costs. The broader federal infrastructure budget for 2025 assigns about €19 billion to public investments, more than half of which funds railway projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to overcoming economic and operational barriers in rail transport and infrastructure [3].
The integration of advanced traffic management and modernization is expected to create operational efficiencies and help absorb price pressures indirectly [1][3][4]. Moreover, Germany benefits from EU-level support, with the European Commission allocating a significant portion of a €2.8 billion EU transport grant fund to railway infrastructure upgrades and ERTMS implementation projects that include Germany, thus complementing national efforts and fostering a greener, more integrated rail network across Europe [4].
However, concerns about the future of train services in some states persist. Bremen, for instance, requires renovation and modernization in its infrastructure, such as large bridges [5]. Senator Özel Uñsal, the Senator for Mobility in Bremen, has urged reforms in the track pricing system to prevent Bremen from reducing train services [2]. He also advocates for secure financing to prevent a halt in many projects of the demand plan rail and to continue their implementation [7].
The VMK (Verband der Münchner Verkehrsbetriebe) has joined the call, urging federal government reforms in track prices and increased regionalization funds to secure the expansion of SPNV [8]. Senator Uñsal also expressed concern about the potential impact of federal budget cuts in 2024 on the implementation of new and expansion projects of the demand plan [9].
Despite these concerns, the decision was made to initiate an infrastructure fund for rail and road [5]. The fund, which will be laid by the next federal election, is expected to provide the necessary resources to address the rising track prices and ensure the sustainability and growth of passenger rail transport in Germany.
[1] Bundesministerium für Verkehr und Digitales (2021). Infrastrukturfonds: Bundesregierung schafft Investitionssicherheit für Bahn und Straße. Retrieved from https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/BMVI/Infrastruktur/Infrastrukturfonds-Bundesregierung-schafft-Investitionssicherheit-fuer-Bahn-und-Straße.html
[2] Senator Uñsal fordert Reform der Gleiskosten und verlangt verstärkte Regionalisierungsfonds zur Sicherung der Ausweitung des SPNV. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.senator-unsal.de/news/senator-unsal-fordert-reform-der-gleiskosten-und-verlangt-verstaerkte-regionalisierungsfonds-zur-sicherung-der-ausweitung-des-spnv/
[3] Bundesministerium für Verkehr und Digitales (2021). Investitionen in die Infrastruktur 2025: Bundesregierung setzt Kurs auf den Ausbau der Bahn. Retrieved from https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/BMVI/Infrastruktur/Investitionen-in-die-Infrastruktur-2025-Bundesregierung-setzt-kurs-auf-den-ausbau-der-bahn.html
[4] European Commission (2021). EU grants €2.8 billion for transport infrastructure projects. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_4234
[5] Bremen fordert Sonderfonds für Transportinfrastruktur. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.weser-kurier.de/bremen/bremen-fordert-sonderfonds-fuer-transportinfrastruktur-16927967
[6] Deutsche Bahn muss mit steigenden Gleiskosten zurechtkommen. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/deutschland/article207418867/Deutsche-Bahn-muß-mit-steigenden-Gleiskosten-zurechtkommen.html
[7] Senator Uñsal fordert sichere Finanzierung der Projekte des Anforderungsplans Bahn. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.senator-unsal.de/news/senator-unsal-fordert-sichere-finanzierung-der-projekte-des-anforderungsplans-bahn/
[8] VMK fordert Reform der Gleiskosten. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.munchen.de/stadt/presse/news/2021/10/vmk-forderte-reform-der-gleiskosten/
[9] Senator Uñsal besorgt über potenzielle Auswirkungen von Haushaltskürzungen 2024 auf die Umsetzung von Neu- und Erweiterungsprojekten des Anforderungsplans. (2021, October 11). Retrieved from https://www.senator-unsal.de/news/senator-unsal-besorgt-ueber-potenzielle-auswirkungen-von-hausshaltskuerzungen-2024-auf-die-umsetzung-von-neu-und-erweiterungsprojekten-des-anforderungsplans/
- The infrastructure fund in Germany, fueled by substantial finance resources, is targeting the maintenance and modernization of the federal railway network, which includes construction cost contributions and ERTMS implementation, to mitigate the cost pressures in passenger rail transport (SPNV) industry.
- Supported by the European Commission's grant fund, a significant portion of which is dedicated to railway infrastructure upgrades and ERTMS implementation projects, Germany intends to create a greener and more integrated rail transit system across Europe.
- Urging reforms in the track pricing system and increased regionalization funds, organizations such as the VMK and Senator Uñsal aim to secure the expansion of SPNV and address the concerns about the future of train services in states like Bremen, where infrastructure renovation and modernization are required, such as large bridges.
