Greens Call for Faster Progress on Rail Projects

The Greens believe key rail projects in the Free State have been sidelined. “Important rail lines have been stuck in the planning phase for years and are becoming increasingly expensive,” the Green state parliamentary caucus concluded after reviewing five minor inquiries on the topic. There is a lack of prioritization. Furthermore, there are always the same excuses and endless planning cycles.

Key projects are stuck in planning loops

“Key rail projects in Saxony remain stuck in planning loops. This affects 12 rail projects enshrined in law—five of which are not being pursued at all, or only very slowly, due to the state government’s failure to prioritize them,” explained parliamentary group leader Franziska Schubert, describing the interim assessment of structural change for the rail sector as a bitter one. 

No Compromises on Rail Projects for Structural Change

According to Schubert, the promises regarding structural change in the coal-mining regions “must not be broken when it comes to rail. Every day of delay makes every project more expensive. “The structural transformation rail projects must go ahead without compromises and without further delays; the federal government has a duty here,” Schubert emphasized.

“The railway company has put forward extremely high demands for compensation payments for unprofitable routes. DB must be reminded here that projects must be implemented swiftly and as agreed so that further cost increases do not slow down the expansion,” Schubert clarified.

Saxony Should Drive Planning Forward Itself

Katja Meier, transportation policy spokesperson for the Green Party parliamentary group, called on the government to push forward with planning for important Saxon rail projects. “Too much time has already passed. This does not mean absolving the federal government of its responsibility, but rather making use of our own room for maneuver.” 

“We cannot keep waiting for yet another round of years-long reviews to determine whether these projects will finally be elevated to priority status in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan. The necessary planning funds must be allocated in Saxony’s future biennial budgets,” Meier emphasized. 

Greens Call for Faster Progress on Rail Projects

“Taking the transportation transition seriously means accelerating rail planning, tapping into funding opportunities, and making a full commitment at the federal level to implementation. So far, all of this has been done far too half-heartedly,” Meier concluded.