Federal Transport Minister 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 when asked about a possible connection with the CDU’s poor performance in the state elections in Saxony-Anhalt. Since taking office, he has been asked most frequently about the problems at the railway. Long construction times for transport projects also caused dissatisfaction.

Problems in infrastructure and processes

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. “In Germany we 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.

Reintroduction of family reservations

Bilger is also pushing for the reintroduction of family reservations, which were abolished at Deutsche Bahn. “We are in discussions with the railway about this,” Bilger told the newspapers of the Funke media group.

Deutsche Bahn abolished family reservations in June 2025. Until then, families could reserve up to five seats together for 10.40 euros. Since then, each place has to be paid for individually. A petition for the reintroduction started by the German Transport Club was signed by more than 128,000 people.

Bilger said there was “rightly a lot of dissatisfaction” because of the loss of family reservations. “That’s why I criticized it at the time.” At the same time, he emphasized: “The railway generally has a lot of good offers for families.”