Frankfurt am Main/Bonn – IG Metall and Germanwatch are calling on the federal government to make more money available for rail transport and to reallocate funds accordingly. “We see an urgent need to prioritize investments in the transport budget for rail,” says a joint letter from the two organizations to representatives of the federal government and specialist politicians. The rail network needs sufficient and reliable funding without pressure on returns for renovation, modernization and expansion. The Bundestag’s budget committee is currently negotiating the details of the 2025 budget and is expected to adapt the draft law accordingly.
“The whole world saw at the European Championships: Germany has a problem with its infrastructure. Because the rail network has been subject to wear and tear for too long. Higher prices for passenger and freight transport by rail are putting a strain on roads. What we need is a rapid expansion and renovation of the railways, not new trunk roads and motorways,” says Christoph Bals, Political Director of Germanwatch. “The federal government must align investments in the federal budget accordingly.”
Jürgen Kerner, second chairman of IG Metall, emphasizes the importance of rail for business location, employment and climate protection: “Rail is an industry of the future with half a million jobs in Germany alone, around 55,000 of them in the rail and supplier industries. It is the backbone of mobility in Germany. Without a modern rail network and a strong rail industry, the mobility transition will not succeed. Rail network operators, the railway and construction industries now need a clear signal from politicians. “
In the future, the rail network should be managed with a focus on the common good, demand IG Metall and Germanwatch. An equity increase at Deutsche Bahn could only be a temporary budget solution. Because it triggers pressure on returns, which can lead to an increase in the price of rail transport that distorts competition and would therefore run counter to the goals of shifting to rail. The route price equalization should therefore now be improved. Otherwise, Germany could face congested roads as early as 2025.
In addition to the rapid, barrier-free expansion of rail, investment funds are also needed for the renovation and maintenance of the entire transport infrastructure, the organizations emphasize. Crumbling rails, federal and trunk roads as well as dilapidated motorway and railway bridges demand urgent action. However, the construction and expansion of motorways and federal highways would tie up urgently needed funds. They also propose setting up a long-term infrastructure fund based on the Swiss model. It is intended to overcome the dependence on annual budget decisions and thus ensure planning security. Transport Minister Wissing had also already spoken out in favor of a fund.
The reason for the letter is also the overdue review of the road and rail requirements plans. The federal government should use this to re-prioritize the eight-year-old plans using current methodology. The following must apply: infrastructure planning – and thus the requirements plans – must be based on the relocation goals.
“The rail sector shows that industry and climate protection are not a contradiction,” emphasize IG Metall and Germanwatch in their open letter. The responsible politicians are calling on them: “Use the federal budget and the needs plan review to provide further impetus for the German and European rail sector after the world’s leading trade fair Innotrans in Berlin.”