Ramelow calls for 100-billion-euro special fund for Deutsche Bahn
Ramelow stated that a solution "independent of the federal budget" was hovering over him. The special fund should be linked to the Bahn's assets, that is, the rail network. "This way we create an institution that is creditworthy." In this way, the billions that the Bahn needs urgently in the coming years could be "mobilized."
A few days ago, "Spiegel" reported that the German Railways were considering discontinuing some Intercity connections with a focus on the eastern part of the country in the coming year. Ramelow said about that, "that's not okay at all." The Bahn is "not inviting Thuringian passengers but expelling them. I find that scandalous." The Bahn had rejected the Bundesland's offer to participate in the financing of barely profitable connections, for example, to Jena and Gera, said Thuringia's Minister-President.
He had the "bad suspicion" that the Bahn was building a threatening scenario with the papers for discontinuing long-distance connections. The German Railways had rejected the "Spiegel" report. However, there are serious financial bottlenecks, so the timetable is being reviewed, explained long-distance transport director Michael Peterson. According to the company, a "drastic increase" in track rents "is in the works," that is, the fee for using the railways.
In Thuringia, a new state parliament will be elected on September 1st. Ramelow's minority government is expected to face the threat of dismissal according to surveys.
- Ramelow proposed the creation of a 100 billion special fund,linked to German Railways' assets, to ensure the fund's creditworthiness and mobilize necessary billions for the Bahn.
- Despite the financial struggles of German Railways, Ramelow, the Thuringian Minister-President, criticized the potential deletion of long-distance connections, especially in the eastern part of the country.
- Ramelow accused German Railways of not considering Thuringian passengers' needs and expelling them,instead of inviting them, by focusing on profitable connections and rejecting the Bundesland's financial participation.
- A German Railways executive, Michael Peterson, confirmed the review of the timetable due to financial bottlenecks, mentioning a planned "drastic increase" in track rents as a result.
- In the upcoming Thuringian state elections on September 1st, Ramelow's minority government faces the risk of dismissal due to low approval ratings in surveys.
