Green Party pushes bold rail upgrades to ease North Rhine-Westphalia travel chaos

The Green Party has highlighted ongoing challenges for rail passengers in North Rhine-Westphalia. While recent closures on the RE7 and RB48 lines have ended, major construction work is still ahead. Party leaders argue that modernisation is necessary but disruptive for travellers. Leon Kröck, head of the Solingen Green Party faction, noted that passengers are tolerating current restrictions with patience. The party insists that Germany’s rail network is in the middle of a much-needed upgrade.

The Greens have proposed several changes to improve services. They want the RE2 line rerouted to connect Solingen, Wuppertal, and the eastern Ruhr region directly. Electrifying the S7 line and extending it to Düsseldorf remains another key demand.

Additional infrastructure is also on their agenda. The party urges the construction of extra turnouts near Düsseldorf-Eller Mitte before work on the RRX project starts. They are also pushing for faster updates to signalling technology and better coordination of rail construction across the region. The Greens stress that a dependable, safe, and appealing rail system is essential to reduce car use. Their long-term aim is to make rail travel more reliable and attractive for passengers. These proposals come as part of broader efforts to modernise Germany’s transport network.