Wiesbaden's FDP fights to derail future train plans despite council rejection
The Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Wiesbaden is pushing to block any future train development in the city. Their latest motion seeks to amend the local transport plan by removing the classification of a municipal train system as 'absolutely essential'. The proposal follows years of debate and a 2020 citizen referendum that rejected the project.
The FDP's motion comes after a 2020 referendum where Wiesbaden residents voted against the train project. They also point to a recent change in Hessian municipal law, which strengthens the city council's decision-making power. The party argues that the plan would take up valuable road space, particularly along Biebricher Allee, and wants to prevent any tracks from being laid there.
Opposition parties, including the Greens, SPD, the Left, and Volt, have criticised the move. They claim the FDP is using the issue for election campaigning and ignoring expert advice on the benefits of train. These parties stress that evaluating the system does not commit the city to building it. No funds have been set aside, no resolutions passed, and no concrete planning steps taken during this legislative term.
Despite the FDP's push, the city council has rejected their motion. The train project itself remains in limbo—neither formally approved nor completely ruled out. This leaves the door open for further discussion in the future.
The FDP's attempt to remove train from Wiesbaden's transport plan has failed for now. The city council's decision keeps the option on the table, though no immediate steps toward construction are planned. With no funding allocated or formal resolutions in place, the debate is likely to continue in future sessions.
