„Zukunft Schiene Sachsen-Anhalt“: DB and the state of Saxony-Anhalt present roadmap for better rail transport

The state of Saxony-Anhalt and Deutsche Bahn are launching the „Zukunft Schiene Sachsen-Anhalt“ ('Future of Rail in Saxony-Anhalt') initiative to create more efficient railway infrastructure, which is a prerequisite for attractive local transport services. The corresponding agreement was signed today in Magdeburg by Berthold Huber, Member of the Management Board for Infrastructure at Deutsche Bahn AG, and Dr Lydia Hüskens, Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs for the State of Saxony-Anhalt.
 
Mr Huber said: "Our goal is to join forces to improve the railway in Saxony-Anhalt. Close cooperation with the state and the relevant authorities plays a key role in this. Sharing a vision of efficient railway infrastructure helps us prioritise and plan individual projects and measures correctly and in good time. In doing so, we want to ensure that the state's projects are coordinated with those of the federal government, thus offering the greatest benefit to passengers. This approach is therefore ideally in line with the common good orientation that guides our actions as an infrastructure operator.'
 
Infrastructure Minister Dr Lydia Hüskens said: 'We are facing enormous challenges in the rail sector that we must address together. I therefore expect today's agreement to significantly accelerate important projects for our state. Rail transport is under particular scrutiny. This makes it all the more important to demonstratethat continuous progress is being made in the sustainable expansion of the necessary infrastructure.'
 
DB and the state intend to build on the successes of their existing fruitful collaboration and take it to the next level. The expansion of the Dessau–Bitterfeld and Merseburg–Querfurt lines, as well as the station modernisation programme, are examples of what the state and the railway can achieve together. The initiative aims to create the conditions for an even better local transport service, closely connected to long-distance transport and other forms of mobility.
 
A Vision for rail development
 
In order to achieve this, the state is working with its local transport service provider, Nahverkehrsservice Sachsen-Anhalt GmbH (NASA), and DB to develop a target for rail infrastructure in Saxony-Anhalt. Federal projects such as Deutschlandtakt, the Performance and Financing Agreement (LuFV) and the Coal Region Investment Act (InvKG) are also being considered.
 
The initiative focuses on replacing diesel operation in local transport through the construction of overhead line sections and charging facilities, as well as the implementation of further regional measures based on the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG). Examples of these measures include the expansion of the Salzlandbahn railway, the construction of the Calbe curve, and the double-tracking of the Uchtspringe–Nahrstedt section.
 
Various specialist groups will support the initiative's projects at strategic and operational levels. The Ministry and DB discuss the specific results of their work twice a year at the highest level.