The German Transport Ministry has presented a five-year “Infraplan” setting out goals for the improvement of the derelict railroad system.
Transport undersecretary Ulrich Lange said the plan was to be the central compass for the goverment.
“We specify the direction, set priorities and monitor the progress of the implementation,” he said as he handed the plan to Philipp Nagl, the chairman of railway operator German railway‘s infrastructure division, DB InfraGO.
The 160-page plan, which is to be revised each year, covers the period from 2026 to 2030.
The planned renovation measures include repairs, digitization and electrification of routes, reconstruction of stations, noise control and the extension or new construction of lines.
The plan sets out a performance indicator system to make possible a transparent evaluation of the developments in the railroad infrastructure.
There are eight indicators with mandatory targets, such as how many kilometers (miles) of new tracks are laid per year, how many kilometers have been electrified and how many minutes delay are caused by infrastructure defects.
One of the targets set out in the plan is to build 155 kilometers (96 miles) of new track by 2030.
The plan does not, however, contain provisions for financing the railroad renovations, which currently depend on the government budget.
The Transport Ministry is working on a law on a railroad fund that secures financing for several years.
As an example of the problems currently facing train passengers, in September, nearly every second long-distance train was delayed.
Source: www.dw.com
