Bremen Demands Revisions to High-Performance Rail Network Upgrades
Bremen fights federal rail upgrades over disruption fears and freight risks
At today's Transport Ministers' Conference in Lindau, Bremen is calling for urgent revisions to the overhaul of Germany's high-performance rail network to prevent disruptions to passenger and freight transport as well as port connectivity.
The comprehensive modernization of DB InfraGO AG's high-performance network is one of Germany's largest infrastructure projects: by 2035, over 4,000 kilometers of the busiest rail routes are set to undergo full renovations during months-long closures, allowing as much work as possible to be completed simultaneously. However, early experiences with this approach—such as the overhaul of the Riedbahn line or the Hamburg-Berlin corridor—raise concerns about lasting damage to rail passenger and freight services in the affected regions and beyond.
A Setback for the Transport Transition
Against this backdrop, Bremen's Senator for Construction, Mobility, and Urban Development, Özlem Ünsal, will urge the conference to push the federal government and Deutsche Bahn to critically review and improve the current plan: "The renovation of our rail network is long overdue—no one disputes that. But if we want to save the railways, we can't renovate them into dysfunction. If commuters are forced onto buses for months and freight shifts to the roads, we'll lose passengers, public support, and market share that we won't easily win back. This is the opposite of a transport transition. The federal government and Deutsche Bahn must plan and execute these upgrades in a way that minimizes unavoidable disruptions to ongoing rail services. I expect realistic construction timelines and better coordination of parallel projects—both within the rail system and with other transport modes."
Bremen is also demanding that the federal government and Deutsche Bahn ensure sufficient and reliable alternative and diversionary services, particularly for rail freight, and prevent financial strain on affected rail operators. Additional costs and lost revenue directly resulting from the modernization must be compensated fairly and without excessive bureaucracy.
Critical for the Local Economy
Under current plans, Bremen will be affected by upgrades on four corridors. The Bremen-Bremerhaven line is scheduled for renovation in the second half of 2027. Unlike previous projects, this corridor will not face a full closure due to a lack of viable alternative routes. Instead, two consecutive partial closures are planned, with the remaining track prioritized for freight transport. Port connectivity and hinterland traffic are vital to the local economy. During peak hours, passenger services will operate on a reduced basic schedule, with combined rail-and-bus replacement services currently in planning.
