Municipalities and the Free State continue to push for the modernization of the Franconia-Saxony Main Line. However, the federal government is still reviewing whether the rail line project is economically viable. The results should be available in the autumn, a spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Transport said in response to an inquiry.
"Diesel island" to be electrified
And that's the point: the railroad line, which connects Bavaria, Saxony and the Czech Republic and is therefore important for rail transport throughout Europe, can only be used with diesel locomotives in large parts. Politicians from the affected regions in particular have long been calling for electrification. "This is the largest diesel island in Central Europe, which can only be electrified and thus become climate-neutral if there is good cooperation between the federal, state and EU governments," said the Lord Mayor of Bayreuth, Thomas Ebersberger (CSU), to dpa.
However, a few years ago, the plans were even halted - because the economic viability criteria were not met.
