New construction route Mannheim-Frankfurt: Lack of money at risk!

New construction route Mannheim-Frankfurt: Lack of money at risk!

Mannheim, Deutschland - The new line between Mannheim and Frankfurt, according to Tarek Al-Wazir (Greens), the chairman of the traffic committee, is seriously at risk despite an additional special fund of 500 billion euros. In the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung Expansion projects by the federal government and the new Federal Minister of Transport. "The money is not enough for the long overdue new streaks," says Al-Wazir, who refers to internal data from the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Even if the project is about to be completed according to the Federal Ministry of Transport and a new building could begin from 2027, the current budget planning provides for fewer funds for training and new construction. The gap between preliminary financial planning and the actual need is a proud 300 million euros in 2027 and even 1.5 billion euros in 2029. "If we continue, we will soon be on the wrong track," warns Al-Wazir.

urgency of the new line

The Riedbahn, at the moment only a renovation, will have to expect 127 percent occupancy in 2040 in 2040. This massive overload causes the punctuality of the trains. Al-Wazir emphasizes the urgency of the new line and the need to integrate it into an overall system that includes both renovations and new buildings.

The resentment of the increasingly scarce funds in the industry is growing. "The federal government has set up a large special fund, but the facts speak a different language," said a critical voice from the railway area. Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) emphasizes that the "preservation of new buildings" will admit that new construction projects must also be taken into account from 2026.

The big picture in view

Although the new line between Frankfurt and Mannheim was originally supposed to be put into operation in 2007, a realistic commissioning is now only based on 2030. The planned route was set in 2020 after extensive studies and is to run from Zeppelinheim south of Frankfurt parallel to the Autobahn 5 until shortly before Einhausen, where it flows into a tunnel.

"We are on the right track to combine the two metropolitan areas of Rhein-Main and Rhein-Neckar," emphasizes Al-Wazir. With the new route, travel times are to be reduced to less than half an hour and around 100 additional connections between Frankfurt and Mannheim are to be created, which would double the long -distance transport. "However, all of this is only feasible if we can mobilize the necessary funds," he urges.

The signs are clear: Without the new line, a noticeable improvement in the punctuality of the trains will not be in sight. "There is something," sums up Al-Wazir, while he is addressing an appeal to the federal government, to finally set the course for sustainable rail traffic. Time is pushing, and predictive planning is the key to get out of the difficulties in which Deutsche Bahn is currently.