The German government has reached an agreement to cap increases in track access charges, a move hailed as a temporary fix to a critical situation threatening the viability of both passenger and freight rail services. Federal Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) emphasized that the measures would benefit travelers and businesses reliant on consistent rail freight transport, signaling a response to mounting pressure to address escalating costs.
The agreement culminates in the release of €105 million in funding for the current year, previously held up in legal uncertainty. A new, legally sound framework for 2026 is nearing final approval, providing a roadmap for future support. Crucially, the deal also earmarks €265 million in federal funds for rail freight track access subsidies in 2026, supplemented by revenue generated from contractual penalties levied against rail operators failing to meet performance and financial targets. This reliance on penalties raises questions about the inherent volatility of future subsidy levels.
The government’s move is accompanied by planned adjustments to the Railway Regulatory Law (ERegG). A noteworthy element involves reducing the equity interest rate applied to DB InfraGO AG when setting track charges to 1.9 percent. This reduction is intended to alleviate financial burdens on the infrastructure arm of Deutsche Bahn, but critics argue it skirts the fundamental issue of infrastructure inefficiencies and the need for comprehensive reform of the railway operation. The enacted legislation is expected to take effect later this year.
Track access charges are fees levied on rail operators for using the rail network. While the government anticipates that these cost reductions will cascade down to lower transport prices for both freight and passenger services, many industry analysts remain skeptical. Concerns persist that the relief offered might be insufficient to offset broader economic pressures and that the rushed nature of the legislative process hinders genuinely transformative change within the railway sector. The reliance on penalties for supplementary funding also casts a shadow on the long-term stability of the system, raising the possibility of future disruptions and necessitating ongoing vigilance regarding the reform’s effectiveness.
