Minister fears for rail services outside major cities amid competition

Bavaria's Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter has voiced strong concerns that increasing competition in long-distance rail travel could jeopardize essential services in rural areas. Bernreiter, who also chairs the Conference of Transport Ministers, warned that new providers are likely to focus on profitable routes between major German cities, a practice he described as "cherry-picking."

"This kind of cherry-picking is unacceptable," Bernreiter stated in Munich. He emphasized that the allocation of new rail lines must not lead to cutbacks in regional services. The minister called on the Federal Network Agency to consider the needs of rural areas when granting licenses to new long-distance operators. "We need a stable system that guarantees rail transport in the regions and does not make it more difficult," he urged, stressing that all responsible parties must consider the bigger picture beyond just increased competition.

Bernreiter is particularly worried that the expansion of long-distance services could negatively impact local public transport. He noted that the rail network is already heavily utilized, and current regulations often favor the highest bidder for track access, typically long-distance providers. "The local transport service is part of public welfare and therefore needs priority access," he asserted, advocating for "passenger orientation over profit maximization."

He also stressed the importance of maintaining flexible ticketing systems, which allow passengers to change trains during disruptions. Bernreiter indicated he would raise these issues at the transport ministers' conference in the fall, seeking federal intervention to ensure that cities beyond the major metropolises remain well-connected by rail and that passenger rights are not compromised by the pursuit of greater competition.