A leading economic institute is urging swift implementation of planned reforms to Germany’s railway system, as outlined in the current coalition agreement. Thomas Puls, transport expert at the Institut der deutschen Wirtschaft (IW), has advised Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder to prioritize structural changes, specifically regarding funding mechanisms.
Puls suggests mirroring the Austrian model, where road financing largely relies on truck tolls, freeing up federal budget resources to concentrate on the railway network. He proposes an infrastructure fund for the railway, as stipulated in the coalition agreement, to ensure long-term financial stability for essential network rehabilitation. This would lessen the railway’s reliance on annual budget allocations.
The expert also highlighted the importance of separating network management from operations, albeit within the existing integrated company structure, viewing this as a positive, incremental step.
Addressing the ongoing search for a new CEO for the railway, Puls cautioned that the position will be challenging. He anticipates significant public scrutiny for whoever takes the role, given the length and complexity of the current modernization program. He emphasized that the job demands resilience and a thick skin due to the extended timeframe and inherent difficulties of the undertaking.