Last year, Germany invested 114 euros per inhabitant in rail infrastructure, slightly less than the previous year, according to the Pro-Rail Alliance. However, this trend is not consistent with most other countries, where investment sums have increased. The federal government has been investing more in the rail network than in trunk roads for the second consecutive year. The Pro-Rail Alliance based its information on data from management consultancy SCI Verkehr. Among 14 European countries, Luxembourg led with 575 euros per inhabitant in 2022, followed by Switzerland with 450 euros and Norway with 346 euros. Germany ranked behind France with 46 euros and Spain with 67 euros. Dirk Fliege, Managing Director of Allianz pro Bahn, commented that Germany is lagging behind in terms of rail policy in a European comparison. However, he predicted that the traffic light government’s draft budget for 2024 would likely increase investments in rail infrastructure, fulfilling its promise to allocate more money to rail than to road. The Pro-Rail Alliance called for simpler financing to ensure that investments in rail infrastructure result in noticeable improvements in passenger and freight transport as quickly as possible. They suggested setting up a dedicated fund, similar to Switzerland, to make money available more efficiently and with less bureaucracy. The Pro-Rail Alliance consists of various organizations and associations, including the Auto Club Europa, the General German Bicycle Club, and the German Railway Customers Association, among others.
