Bilger sees rail problems as a reason for citizen dissatisfaction

Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) sees the problems with rail and transport infrastructure as a factor for citizens' dissatisfaction. “I can see a certain connection there,” Bilger told the newspapers of the Funke media group. Bilger commented on the question of whether the state of Deutsche Bahn could also explain the CDU's poor election results in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt.

Since taking office, he has been asked most often about the problems at the railway, said Bilger. Long construction times for transport projects also caused dissatisfaction.

Bilger referred to the federal government's measures to speed up planning and increase rail safety, as well as the billions from the special fund to modernize transport routes. “We in Germany want to be proud of our infrastructure and our railways again,” said the minister.

Bilger described the current condition of the railway as “completely inadequate”. There are influences that the railway cannot control, but also problems in the infrastructure and processes. Investments in renovation and maintenance would improve punctuality in the long term, even if construction sites initially led to further delays. Once the work is completed, this will lead to more punctuality.