German states warn of fewer regional trains as rail access charges rise
At a transport ministers' conference in Hohenschwangau, German states pressed for federal help with rising rail track charges, and Bavaria's minister called on Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil to join talks.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
Federal and state transport ministers began two days of talks in Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, on Wednesday over rising track access charges, the fees rail operators pay DB InfraGO to use the network. Charges for regional passenger services are set to rise 7.7% in 2027, with further significant increases planned for 2028. The increases follow a European Court of Justice ruling in March that struck down Germany's cap on the fees.
Conference chair Christian Bernreiter (CSU) told ARD's morning show that Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) must join the talks, arguing the constitution obliges the federal government to fund the service. Bavaria puts its extra burden at 72 million euros a year, while Schleswig-Holstein expects about 20 million euros in 2027.
Greens lawmaker Tarek Al-Wazir, who chairs the Bundestag transport committee, urged Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) to present a solution, warning that regional rail services could shrink. He also criticised planned cuts to funding for ships able to operate at low water levels: "That must be corrected."