Transport Minister Susanna Karawanskij, hailing from the Left Party, desires an appealing pricing system for local public transport in Thuringia, aiming to double the current passenger numbers by 2030. She made this statement during the unveiling of a concept intended to expand local rail transportation, emphasizing this as a means of tackling climate change with a social responsibility approach.
Many people have expressed concerns about their homes' inadequate accessibility via bus and train. Known as the "rail infrastructure master plan," this concept ought to provide the blueprint for improvements; however, according to Karawanskij, more funding must be allocated to this sector in the upcoming state budget years. Criticism emerged from the coalition partners, the SPD, and the Greens.
The SPD's deputy leader, Lutz Liebscher, opined that Thuringia should have recognized the modernization needs of the rail infrastructure long ago, with the first results only available now. Greens Councilor Laura Wahl criticized the plan, labeling it as a continuation of the minister's protective transport policy.
The objectives of the Thuringian plan involve further electrifying and expanding the rail network, extending platforms, and modernizing and converting stations to accommodate disabled individuals. The report on the reactivation of eight dormant railroad lines is underway, with investigations into the feasibility of reactivating the Kyffhäuserbahn, Unstrutbahn, Pfefferminzbahn, Höllentalbahn, Werrabahn, Rennsteigbahn, Ohratalbahn, and Max- und Moritzbahn.
Criticizing the federal government's responsibility for local and long-distance rail infrastructure maintenance and expansion, Karawanskij emphasized that the state orders and funds the local rail transportation services.
Without overly burdening the article with enrichment data, it is worth mentioning that Thuringia can potentially enhance its rail infrastructure to increase electrification and support decarbonization through several strategies, such as upgrades to the grid, the implementation of battery-electric trains, public sector control of railway infrastructure, decentralized energy production, and enhanced passenger experience.
Fewer greenhouse gas emissions of up to 95% by 2050, as necessitated by law in Thuringia, are one of the primary objectives. Additionally, the focus is on improving local rail infrastructure and utilizing existing networks more effectively, as opposed to revitalizing dormant rail lines with abandon.
A greater emphasis on digitalization and rail freight transport expansion is also part of the plan, involving the establishment of a "Thuringia Mobility Network" as a platform in the coming year.
In summary, Transport Minister Susanna Karawanskij revealed her ambition to double passenger numbers in local public transport in Thuringia by 2030, citing climate change and social responsibility as the driving force. Her words in Erfurt sparked criticism from the coalition partners, but the Thuringian concept aims to improve the existing rail infrastructure, further electrify and extend the network, modernize and convert stations, and evaluate the potential of reactivating dormant rail lines.
