Germany's transport chief slams stalled rail and public transit upgrades

The head of Germany's transport industry has criticised the government for failing to deliver on its promises to modernise public transport and rail. Ingo Wortmann, president of the German Association of Transport Companies (VDV), warned that a large gap exists between the coalition's ambitious plans and the actual spending of allocated funds. He stressed that without concrete action, key infrastructure projects risk falling behind. Wortmann called on the federal government to use its special asset programme to upgrade local transport, rail networks and decarbonisation efforts. Though no precise figures for 2023 spending have been released, he argued that a fund's value lies in its real-world impact—not just its existence. The VDV, which represents around 700 public transport firms, has urged ministers to provide clear financial support and a stable political framework to enable investment.

The association proposed five specific steps to improve funding efficiency. These include immediate financial relief for local transport operators, guaranteed subsidies for track access charges, and faster adoption of low-emission buses. They also want more flexibility in the Municipal Transport Financing Act to unlock local investments and dedicated funds for public transport infrastructure. While general demands—such as an annual €500 million boost—and long-term plans like the €128.7 billion investment by 2026 have been discussed, Wortmann highlighted the lack of transparency on how funds were used last year. He insisted that without targeted action, modernisation goals for bridges, rail lines and green transport will remain unmet.

The VDV has made it clear that the industry is prepared to invest and expand, but only if the government provides the necessary resources and policies. Wortmann's remarks underline the urgency of closing the gap between funding promises and actual progress. Without clearer allocation and faster implementation, Germany's public transport and rail systems may struggle to meet future demands.