Cost increase - Up to Stuttgart 21 operation: terminus station preservation demanded
Following the announcement of a further cost increase in the Stuttgart 21 rail project, the German Ecological Transport Association (VCD) is calling for the focus to be placed on a smooth start to operations at the new station. The quality and reliability of the service for passengers must have top priority. To this end, it makes sense to continue operating the existing station until the underground station is stable. "Keeping the terminus station operational until the new digital infrastructure is fully and stably operational is urgently recommended," the association stated.
On Thursday, it was announced that the Stuttgart 21 rail project would once again become more expensive. As the Deutsche Presse-Agentur learned from supervisory board circles, the costs will rise by 1.7 billion euros to around 11 billion euros. The main reason for the cost increase is higher construction costs, they said. Several media outlets had previously reported this. A spokesperson for the railroad did not want to comment on the figures and referred to a meeting of the supervisory board. It is due to discuss Stuttgart 21 on December 18.
It is also unclear whether the station can go into operation in December 2025 as planned. Deutsche Bahn is sticking to the date, but only recently admitted problems with the digitalization of the Stuttgart rail hub.
"The costs of the project are less important to us than smooth operation," said Gero Treuner, member of the VCD regional board in Stuttgart. From the VCD's point of view, a realistic timetable is needed for commissioning. "Only by adapting all measures to a realistic timetable can service deterioration, frequently changing transitional conditions and the threat of further delays be avoided," said Treuner. The experience of the commissioning of Berlin Airport teaches us this.
Baden-Württemberg's Transport Minister Winfried Hermann also recently warned against a hasty start. "We cannot and will not afford a bumpy start," said the Green politician after a meeting of the steering committee last week. In the minister's view, a sufficiently long period of time is needed for trial operation. The infrastructure is new, the digitalization is new, some of the trains are new and the timetables are also new, said Hermann.
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Source: www.stern.de
