The German Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB) is sharply criticizing the federal government’s commitment to financing public transport (ÖPNV), warning that critical infrastructure projects are at risk due to a chronic shortfall in funding. André Berghegger, the DStGB’s chief executive, expressed his concern in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” highlighting that the existing funding budget is already oversubscribed, threatening the viability of numerous expansion, construction and renovation projects essential for maintaining a functioning public transport network.
The latest draft proposal from the government, which now seemingly includes magnetic levitation trains as a new eligible expense for funding, has further exacerbated the situation. Berghegger deemed this addition “completely incomprehensible” given the lack of a corresponding increase in the overall budget allocation.
The promised modernization pact for local transport remains stalled, despite all necessary data already being available. Berghegger urged the federal government and state authorities to acknowledge their responsibility and guarantee reliable financial support for the maintenance and modernization of urban and municipal public transport systems.
The criticism follows a parliamentary inquiry by the Green Party, revealing the federal government’s current position: no plans for an increase in ÖPNV funding. Instead, officials point to funding increases approved in 2019 as part of the climate protection program. Implementation of a new legal framework for ÖPNV funding, as stipulated in the coalition agreement, also remains unresolved.
Victoria Broßart, a Green Party MP, condemned the government’s reluctance to act. She asserted that local authorities are facing financial constraints, leading to the postponement or cancellation of essential investments to improve or even preserve the current state of public transport. “The federal government is ignoring this stark reality” Broßart stated, accusing the ruling coalition of providing only the legally mandated minimum funding through the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG) and attempting to portray this as a success – a move she called “outrageous, if not shameless”. She warned that the modernization pact for ÖPNV is heading towards becoming “just another entry on the long list of broken promises from the Merz government”. The impasse underscores growing tensions between the federal government and municipalities concerning essential infrastructure and policy commitments.