Leaders of the governing coalition have been urged to prioritize investment in rail infrastructure using a substantial earmarked fund. Felix Banaszak, co-leader of the Green Party, emphasized the need for the new railway chief, Evelyn Palla, to receive significant financial resources from the €500 billion fund. These resources, he stated, are crucial to enabling improvements in rail services, including stable pricing, punctuality and expanded connections.
Speaking to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, Banaszak articulated a clear expectation for the government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to demonstrably improve rail services across all regions within the next three to four years through the utilization of the fund.
He cautioned that even the most comprehensive strategic plans risk failure if the earmarked funds are diverted for purposes unrelated to essential infrastructure development. Banaszak warned that a continuation of current allocation practices, potentially prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term infrastructure needs, could lead to significant challenges for the entire political landscape by 2029. The presentation of Palla’s appointment and the new rail strategy is scheduled for today.
