Ranting About the Hamburg-Berlin Rail Line Shutdown and Crappy Alternative Transport
Berlin-Hamburg Shutdown Concern: Suitable Alternative Transportation Arrangements Questioned - Proposals Already Presented by the Commission
Hey there! Let's talk about the mess that is the Hamburg-Berlin rail line closure. German politicians in Schwerin are over here seeing red, thanks to the upcoming nine-month shutdown of this crucial rail corridor. They're all worked up about regions like Westmecklenburg getting screwed over by a lack of long-distance traffic during the renovation.
Wolfgang Blank, Schwerin's Minister of Economy, spoke his mind in the Landtag, laying down the law: "We can't just let regions like Westmecklenburg, and other parts of the state, hang out to dry while this rail line is getting a makeover!" He wants clear, no-nonsense promises, whether they come in the form of alternative transfer plans, or road supplements.
This extended closure of the mainline will have far-reaching consequences. It's not cool to brush off replacement traffic or pit rail against road, but fake it like the DB (Deutsche Bahn) is doing here. The effects of the closure are serious, and it ain't just a weekend jaunt.
MP Marcel Falk from the Social Democrats (SPD) isn't happy about these half-assed renovation plans from the Bahn and the federal government. He's questioning the extent of the proposed renovation measures. Initially, the talk was of over 200 buses for rail replacement traffic, but now it's a measly 173. For certain passengers, the closure is just a dress rehearsal, as the renovation of the Schwerin-Ludwigslust-Hagenow line won't start until later.
The Green faction is accusing the Bahn of only doing a "light general renovation". Transport policy spokeswoman Jutta Wegner is calling the multi-month total closure into question, given the proportionality. The CDU faction echoed the same sentiment, critiquing the "half-renovation". The CDU's faction leader, Daniel Peters, called for a commitment to a complete renovation or a delay.
The ruling factions of the SPD and Left Party passed a motion in the Landtag that demands funding for replacement road and rail traffic, even if it's offered as a package. They also want the digital train control ETCS integrated with federal special assets funds during the upcoming closure, to avoid closing the route again for this purpose in a few years.
So, here's the deal. The section between Berlin and Hamburg is set to shut down from August to April next year for a complete overhaul. With 230 trains and up to 30,000 passengers daily, it's one of the busiest direct connections. The route, around 280 kilometers long, is going to be a mess. But don't worry, DB claims travelers will stay mobile in regional and long-distance traffic during the renovation.
Sounds sketchy, am I right? Some long-distance trains will be rerouted, leading to a 45-minute increase in travel time. Regional train guests can look forward to riding the bus for nine whole months. But hey, at least those buses have internet, USB charging ports, and onboard toilets! Still sounds like a hellish commute if you ask me.
Politicians in Schwerin, especially those from Westmecklenburg, are legit sweating it out over this rail line closure. They're worried about the impact it will have on regional mobility and connectivity, given Schwerin's position. They want reliable solutions to handle passenger demand during the long shutdown.
So there you have it. The DB better improve its game if it wants to keep everyone happy during this rail line shutdown. Maybe it's time to consider some actual traffic solutions aside from rerouting trains and handing out crappy emergency bus services. Snowflakes!
Psst... if you're curious, there's been talk about using regional bus replacements with fancy amenities like internet and USB charging ports for the nine-month shutdown, starting on August 1, 2025. When it rains, it pours, right?
- Hamburg
- Berlin
- Closure
- Landtag
- Schwerin
- SPD
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Westmecklenburg
- Wolfgang Blank
- DB (Deutsche Bahn)
- The extended closure of the Hamburg-Berlin rail line will impact various sectors, such as the steel industry, which relies heavily on this route for transportation of goods.
- Politics in Schwerin are heated over the shutdown, with concerns about the lack of finance for alternative transportation solutions that cater to industries like the steel industry and support regional mobility.
- Amidst the shutdown, the environment may face consequences due to increased traffic from other modes of transportation like road transport, which could potentially contribute to pollution and carbon emissions.
