The German rail infrastructure giant, Deutsche Bahn (DB), is facing mounting criticism over its planned modernization of the crucial Hagen-Wuppertal-Cologne rail line. A response to a parliamentary inquiry by the Green Party has revealed that DB intends to exclude the modernization of eight signal boxes – vital control centers for rail traffic – from the scope of the project, despite three being flagged as “critical” and two in a “very poor” condition.
The Ministry’s response, reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, attributes this omission to a prioritization strategy, with DB Infrago AG prioritizing track infrastructure and stations over the signal boxes, claiming they possess “the greatest need and urgency”. However, detailed assessments of the signal boxes reveal a stark reality. Signal boxes in Schwelm, Solingen, Hagen-Hauptbahnhof, Wuppertal-Oberbarmen and Wuppertal-Steinbeck received condition ratings ranging from 4.5 to a deeply concerning 6.0, using DB Infrago’s internal grading system. Ratings above 4.0 signify “significant impairments in one or more quality dimensions” while a 6.0 indicates “potentially serious impact on operations” with “measures already taken to prevent critical incidents.
Green Party parliamentarian Matthias Gastel has condemned the decision as a “sham renovation” accusing the DB of deliberately shortchanging a critical section of railway infrastructure. He pointedly referenced the irony, highlighting that current parliamentary state secretary Ulrich Lange (CSU) previously used the term “sham renovation” to criticize similar cost-cutting measures during his time in opposition. Gastel urged Lange, now in a position to influence DB’s actions, to fulfill his prior commitments to actively oversee and rectify the railway’s shortcomings.
DB’s justification for excluding the signal box upgrades centers on “short planning lead times” and a lack of pre-existing projects. However, Gastel, who previously served on the DB Infrago supervisory board, argues this is disingenuous, asserting that the timeline for the overhaul was established as far back as 2024, providing ample opportunity for proper planning.
The controversial plans extend beyond signal boxes. The rollout of the European Train Control System (ETCS), a vital upgrade for enhanced safety and efficiency, will also be omitted from the current scope of works. Even in the planned renovations of the twelve stations along the line, DB intends to complete only a partial refurbishment, leaving six key stations – including Solingen and Ennepetal – without comprehensive upgrades and designation as “future stations”. The overhaul of the six S-Bahn stations is scheduled for completion in late 2027, significantly after the larger corridor modernization project is concluded.
The situation raises serious questions about DB’s commitment to safety and long-term infrastructure investment, prompting accusations of prioritizing short-term cost savings over the critical needs of a vital rail network. Critics argue that such compromises risk compromising passenger safety and hindering future network expansion and efficiency. The ongoing scrutiny and pressure from parliamentarians like Gastel will likely intensify as the project progresses, potentially forcing a re-evaluation of DB’s ambitious, yet potentially inadequate, plan.