Publish Date : 21-Jan-2020
Foundation for a #SchaleSchiene in Germany: By 2030, the record sum of 86 billion euros will go into maintaining and modernizing the existing rail network. This will renew the tracks and train stations, signal boxes and energy supply systems.
Today Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer , CEO of DB AG Richard Lutz and DB Infrastructure Director Ronald Pofalla signed the contract for the new service and financing agreement (LuFV III) in the presence of Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz .
The federal government bears 62 billion euros of the total. The DB controls own funds to 24 billion euros. This means that an average of 8.6 billion euros per year are available for replacement investments and maintenance. That is 54 percent more than in the previous planning period.
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer:
The wow effect is coming. The twenties were a brilliant era for the railways. We sign the largest modernization program ever in Germany. Our goal: strong rail, a powerful, high-quality network as the basis for active climate protection in traffic. We are replacing outdated systems, creating barrier-free access, improving construction site management and the condition of the railway bridges - passengers benefit from this to the maximum.
Federal Minister of Finance Olaf Scholz:
Investments have priority for this federal government. We are investing record amounts to make our country fit for the future. We also take care of that at Deutsche Bahn. With the largest investment program in the history of Deutsche Bahn, we are creating a long-term and reliable investment perspective for modern and climate-friendly rail mobility.
DB CEO Richard Lutz:
We are well prepared for the decade of the railway. The infrastructure is the basis not only for growth and modal shift, but also for good operational quality and high punctuality. With the new service and financing agreement, we can tackle the investment backlog and fundamentally modernize the infrastructure. This will make the rail network more robust and reliable, and train stations will become more attractive.
DB Infrastructure Director Ronald Pofalla:
We make the track really strong. The new service and financing agreement is the foundation for more quality and stability in rail traffic. It is the start of a modernization offensive in the German rail network that has never existed on this scale. We work closely with the construction industry. Together we can now plan a much longer period and thus secure capacities. That is a huge win. With additional funds, we will also enable capacity-conserving construction, thereby reducing the impact of construction on rail operations and our customers.
The service and financing agreement III (LuFV III)
The LuFV regulates in particular the replacement investments in the existing rail network, determines quality indicators and sanctions for non-compliance. The ten-year term has doubled compared to LuFV II.
The federal government and DB are increasing their contributions significantly. DB's infrastructure companies also contribute 44 percent more funds for investments and maintenance - a total of around EUR 24 billion. In addition, the dividend payments of the DB infrastructure companies will be fully reinvested.
The investments flow, among other things, into the renewal of around 2,000 kilometers of track and 2,000 points annually. A total of 2,000 additional railway bridges will be renovated this decade. Around seven billion euros flow into interlocking technology alone.
The ten-year term creates more planning security for DB and the economy. In this way, capacities at construction and planning companies can be built future-proof and long-term agreements can be made with suppliers. This is an incentive for more capacity and innovations in the railway construction industry.
Railway customers benefit directly, for example from better accessibility and additional weather protection on platforms. There is also more money available so that construction sites have less impact on rail traffic and customers. Auxiliary bridges, additional switches or signals that ensure additional flexibility ensure capacity-conserving construction. New converter plants ensure that electricity from renewable energies is fed into the traction current network.
The service and financing agreement is based on comprehensive transparency and control. The Federal Railway Authority monitors how the agreement is implemented. 17 criteria were agreed to measure the success of the agreement. If DB fails to meet the contractual requirements, fines will be due. Quality indicators document the status of the network, how many bridges have been renewed, how much money goes into maintenance and much more.
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