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Joint Demand by Eastern German States

The Eastern German transportation ministers agreed in Gera on joint positions to present to the federal government. Among other things, they called for the sustainable safeguarding and financing of both regional and long-distance rail service across the region. Particularly in the large, rural states of eastern Germany, it is crucial to prevent entire regions from becoming isolated.

Saxony-Anhalt’s Transportation Minister, Lydia Hüskens (FDP), notes, for example, that the expansion of rail lines has a one-sided focus on major cities and metropolitan areas. However, she noted that the eastern German states are predominantly rural. The specific interests of these states must therefore be given appropriate consideration in future infrastructure planning, and the necessary funding must be made available. The ministers called on the railway operator to provide more reliable commitments and agreements.

Wolfgang Blank, the independent Infrastructure Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, said that increased competition in long-distance rail service must not result in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania losing long-distance stops or in local rail service—especially in rural areas—being curtailed. The federal government must now take action: Regionalization funding must be increased, and a reform of track access charges must finally provide planning certainty for several years. Berlin’s Senator for Transportation, Ute Bonde (CDU), pointed out that the Berlin rail hub—which is already heavily congested—will be burdened even further by new competitors such as Italo and Flixtrain.

When it comes to autonomous mobility, the eastern German states intend to pool their research, development, and practical expertise in an “Innovation Alliance for Autonomous Driving.” Together, they aim to drive the transition from pilot projects to regular operations. “Our goal is to ensure that people in rural areas remain well connected and that new technologies reach the places where they provide the greatest benefit,” emphasized Thuringia’s Infrastructure Minister Steffen Schütz (BSW).

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