Chambers of Industry and Commerce in Berlin and Brandenburg call for action on the i2030 rail infrastructure program
The chambers of industry and commerce in Berlin and Brandenburg have reacted with disillusionment to the federal government's response to a minor question from the Green parliamentary group in the Bundestag on the i2030 infrastructure program. The answer makes it clear that the further financing of central rail projects, including the reconstruction of the Potsdam main line and the extension of several S-Bahn lines, is not secured.
For the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Manja Schreiner explains: "It is alarming that numerous urgently needed expansion projects will remain in the planning phase for an indefinite period of time because the necessary funds are lacking and planning is not being consistently driven forward. The projects in the i2030 program are absolutely essential in order to noticeably relieve the burden on the Berlin rail hub and are therefore of central importance for the entire Berlin-Brandenburg economic region. The political decision-makers must now take countermeasures together with the federal government to finally make the rail network fit for the future."
The federal government's response reveals the structural weaknesses in the implementation of i2030 to date. The step-by-step financing of infrastructure projects means that projects regularly come to a standstill on the threshold of the next planning phase. In many cases, the funds required for further planning are not budgeted for, which delays projects by years. The expansion is thus effectively postponed indefinitely, while the tense situation in rail transport is further exacerbated. This is exacerbated by protracted coordination processes between the project partners as well as complex and time-consuming planning and approval procedures.
The CCIs are therefore calling for complete and continuous funding of the planning in order to advance the projects without further interruptions. A central control unit with clear decision-making powers and a binding prioritization of projects are also required in order to eliminate the biggest bottlenecks in a targeted manner. In addition, i2030 must be anchored as a central component of the regional economic strategy in the upcoming coalition talks in Brandenburg.
With regard to the current political situation in Brandenburg, Monique Zweig, Managing Director of the East Brandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, concludes on behalf of the Brandenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce:
"The future state government must see i2030 as a key factor for economic growth and the achievement of climate targets. Responsibility must be taken now and the necessary resources must be made available. Politicians must finally act with clear decisions and the necessary speed instead of keeping rail expansion in planning mode."
Background: In the i2030 project, the states of Berlin and Brandenburg, together with Deutsche Bahn and the Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB), are jointly planning the expansion of the rail infrastructure in eight expansion corridors and a package of measures for the S-Bahn network in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region.