Railroad - Deutsche Bahn rejects cuts to ICE route to Stralsund
The German Railway (Deutsche Bahn) has rejected the suspected cancellation of long-distance train connections in Eastern Germany. Contrary to media reports, there are currently no plans to reduce the ICE line to Stralsund during the off-season, according to a recent statement from the Bahn. "There are currently no concrete plans to cancel the mentioned long-distance train connections," said Bahn-CEO Michael Peterson. The Federal Transport Ministry also confirmed this statement on Tuesday in response to a query from an AfD parliamentarian. According to the schedule for 2025, none of the reductions reported in the media were found.
The "Spiegel" had previously reported on a list of long-distance train connections that could be reduced or canceled. The magazine based its report on a letter from the railway to the Federal Network Agency from early February.
The background of the cut debate are the track fees, which are charged by the DB Infrastructure Company DB Infrago. All companies using the railway infrastructure must pay these fees, including the railway companies themselves. The Federal Network Agency recently approved a significant increase in track fees for 2025. The reason for the high increase, according to Infrago, are higher personnel and material costs from previous years. For long-distance transport in 2025, track fees are set to increase by 17.7% based on current information. However, there are objections to this increase, and the federal government has offered help through a track fee subsidy.
"The currently planned significant increase in track fees poses significant challenges for DB Fernverkehr AG and many other economically oriented transport companies in long-distance and freight transport," explained Peterson. The extent of the Bahn's long-distance train offer will be reviewed nationwide depending on the height of the additional burdens.
- Despite the projected increase in track fees by German Railways (DB Infrago), there are no plans to cancel the long-distance train connection to Stralsund, as stated by DB's CEO, Michael Peterson.
- Contrary to rumors, Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport has confirmed that there are no plans to reduce the ICE line to Stralsund during the off-season.
- The German Railways (DB) has rejected reports suggesting the cancellation of long-distance train connections in Eastern Germany, including the one to Stralsund in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
- In response to a query from an AfD parliamentarian, the Federal Transport Ministry confirmed that there are currently no concrete plans to cancel the long-distance train connections to Eastern Germany, such as the one to Stralsund.
- Amidst discussions about track fees charged by DB Infrago, the Reduction of long-distance train connections to Stralsund in Germany, especially during the off-season, has been a topic of debate.
- The German political party AfD has raised concerns about the potential reduction or cancellation of long-distance train connections, including the one to Stralsund in East Germany, due to increases in track fees.
