Continuation of the Deutschlandticket, expansion of the Deutschlandtakt and accelerated planning processes characterise the new transport policy
With the coalition agreement for the 21st legislative period adopted on 30 April, the CDU, CSU and SPD have set clear priorities for a sustainable and future-oriented transport policy. The focus is on expanding local public transport, strengthening rail transport and speeding up planning and approval procedures.
Deutschlandticket will be continued
The Deutschlandticket, introduced in May 2023, will be continued beyond 2025. The price was increased from 49 to 58 euros in January 2025. From 2029, a gradual and socially responsible increase in the user share is planned in order to secure funding in the long term.
Deutschlandtakt is prioritised
The Deutschlandtakt, an integrated synchronised timetable for rail transport, is being driven forward. The aim is to double passenger rail transport and increase the share of rail freight transport to 25 per cent by 2030. To this end, 13 priority infrastructure projects are to be implemented at an accelerated pace.
Acceleration of planning processes
The so-called ‘Germany package’ is intended to significantly speed up planning and approval procedures, particularly for infrastructure projects in the rail, digitalisation and housing construction sectors.
Promotion of electromobility and procurement quotas
The agreement provides for the further expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in order to support electromobility across the board. The existing subsidy for electric vehicles, known as the environmental bonus, will be continued. This measure is intended to further boost sales of electric cars.
The Clean Vehicles Procurement Act obliges public entities to comply with certain quotas for clean vehicles when procuring buses. For the period 2021-2025, the quota is 45%, rising to 65% from 2026. Half of the buses procured must be emission-free.
Although the focus is on industry, the importance of hydrogen is also recognised in the transport sector, particularly for heavy commercial vehicles and buses.
Investment in the rail network
Deutsche Bahn is planning to invest up to 150 billion euros by 2034 to modernise the rail network, drive forward digitalisation and maintain the infrastructure. A newly created special fund totalling 500 billion euros for infrastructure and climate neutrality is intended to support these investments.
The coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD reaffirms the commitment to greater investment in rail infrastructure and provides for the establishment of a railway infrastructure fund to ensure long-term planning security.
Although exact amounts for Deutsche Bahn have not yet been determined, it can be assumed that a significant portion of the special fund will flow into the railway in order to eliminate the renovation backlog and achieve the climate targets.
Conclusion and what do Allianz ProSchiene, VDV and ProBahn say?
The Coalition Agreement 2025 clearly prioritises the promotion of public transport and the strengthening of the railways. With the continuation of the Deutschlandticket, the expansion of the Deutschlandtakt and the acceleration of planning processes, important steps are being taken towards sustainable mobility in Germany.
The Alliance ProSchiene welcomes the increased investment in the rail network provided for in the coalition agreement and the establishment of a railway infrastructure fund for multi-year planning security. The continuation of the Deutschlandticket with price stability until the end of 2026 is also viewed positively, although the association expresses concern about the planned return of toll revenues to road construction, which could jeopardise the closed financing cycle for the railways. It is also calling for a rapid reform of track access charges in order to relieve the pressure on rail transport in the short term.
The VDV recognises positive signals for public transport in the coalition’s plans, but emphasises the need for concrete measures for implementation. In particular, it emphasises the importance of sustainable financing and clear timetables for the announced investments. The association warns that the ambitious targets cannot be achieved without binding implementation strategies.
Pro Bahn is sceptical about the binding nature of the goals set out in the coalition agreement. The association criticises the fact that many of the announced measures remain vague and lack concrete implementation plans. It also criticises the fact that the interests of passengers are not sufficiently taken into account and that the planned investments are not sufficient to sustainably improve the quality and reliability of rail transport.
A new transport minister
On 28 April, the CDU/CSU also presented the future composition of its cabinet under the leadership of Friedrich Merz. According to this, Patrick Schnieder is to take over as Federal Minister of Transport, while Christian Hirte is to be Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport.
Responsibility for digitalisation will no longer be anchored in the current Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. Instead, it will be outsourced to a newly created Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and State Modernisation. This new department will be headed by Karsten Wildberger, CEO of Ceconomy AG and the MediaMarktSaturn Group. Philipp Amthor and Thomas Jarzombek are planned as Parliamentary State Secretaries.
About Patrick Schnieder
Patrick Schnieder, born in 1968 in Kyllburg (Rhineland-Palatinate), is a lawyer and CDU politician. After studying law, he initially worked as a lawyer. He has been a member of the German Bundestag since 2009. Among other things, he was Secretary General of the CDU Rhineland-Palatinate and has been Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag since 2018. In his parliamentary work, he has campaigned for transport, infrastructure and domestic policy, among other things
30.04.2025
