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Railway construction site in Hamburg: Financing is uncertain for half of the sum
Photo: Lukas Schulze / dpa
In order to make the rail network in Germany fit again and thus make the railways more attractive and reliable, the Federal Government believes that total investments of around 2027 billion euros will be needed by 88. This sum has now been confirmed by the German government again in a response to a question from Left Party MP Victor Perli. Thus, the government's assessment coincides with that of the company itself. Only a little less than half of the sum – around 43 billion euros – is already financed in the federal budget.
In principle, the financial requirements have been known for some time. The head of the railway union EVG, Martin Burkert, who also has a seat on the supervisory board of the railway, spoke in February of 90 billion euros by 2027 – and of the need to provide "45 billion euros of fresh money".
At the end of March, the traffic light coalition took up this residual requirement of around 45 billion euros in its resolution paper to the coalition committee and stated: "Deutsche Bahn needs around 2027 billion euros to cover its investment needs by 45." This need should also be covered "as far as financially feasible" by 2027, the resolution paper continues. The money should come, among other things, from an increase in the truck toll.
The fact that the money will really flow is anything but certain and is the subject of the ongoing tough budget procedure, in which Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) is struggling hard with the other members of the cabinet for savings in order to comply with the debt brake.
FDI/DPA