Mobility Minister Petra Berg responded with astonishment to the criticism from the German Transport Club (VCD) that the Saarland state government had done too little in transport policy during the first 100 days of its term. In particular, no progress has been seen in the reactivation and electrification of railway lines. “We are working intensively on implementing the public transport development plan, which includes clear statements regarding local rail transport,” said the minister.
In addition to the successful launch of the statewide PlusBus and ExpressBus network, the current focus is on the reactivation of railway lines and the Saarland S-Bahn network. The planning offices commissioned by the ministry are currently examining, as part of a feasibility study, all routes identified in the transport development plan for reactivation (Rosseltal, Bisttal, Primstal, Merzig – Losheim, and Blieskastel – Homburg). “Based on the feasibility study, it will then be determined whether a reactivation project meets the requirements for federal funding. This funding, amounting to up to 90%, is a mandatory prerequisite for reactivating lines in Saarland,” explains Berg. “The VCD should also understand that this project cannot be completed in 100 days.”
In parallel to the feasibility study, an operational and timetable study is currently being carried out. This study examines whether and how an increased frequency can be implemented in Saarland’s regional rail transport, moving towards an S-Bahn network.
Berg: “On the topic of electrification, it seems the VCD has mixed up the addressees, as all the rightly mentioned deficiencies in the infrastructure (Mainz, Karlsruhe, Strasbourg, Bouzonville) are well known to be outside of Saarland. Saarland is not responsible for the rail infrastructure in Rhineland-Palatinate or the Région Grand Est. Despite known and existing shortcomings in the federal network infrastructure, Saarland continues to pursue its climate protection strategy in rail transport. Step by step, we are replacing diesel services with battery-electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.”
This means that all cross-border traffic to France will in future be operated electrically in Saarland. The services in the Niedtal and through the Bliesgau to Zweibrücken (Regionalbahn 68) will be provided in the future with new battery-electric vehicles. For the currently diesel-operated RB 72 from Saarbrücken to Lebach, the contract has been awarded to convert 6 purely electric multiple units into battery-electric multiple units.
The state is making massive investments in new, locally emission-free vehicles. From December 2026 onwards, only the RE 3 from Saarbrücken to Frankfurt will operate with diesel. All other train services will then run electrically.
Minister Berg: "The Saarland state government is therefore not only showing interest in the topic of climate protection, but is also working on shaping the ecological transport transition step by step through very concrete projects. This benefits not only the climate but also the many thousands of customers who travel daily by bus and train in Saarland."
