Call for Railway Expansion: Special Train to Berlin Advocates for Vorpommern Development

A special train journey from Sassnitz to Berlin has been organized to advocate for the rapid expansion of the railway network in Vorpommern, aiming to improve connectivity from Berlin to Rügen. Participants are pushing for the allocation of approximately half a billion euros for this initiative in the upcoming federal budget.

The event, which occurred on Monday, saw over 50 passengers, including business representatives and local mayors, boarding a diesel-powered conference train operated by the Lausitzer Dampflok Club. Among the notable attendees was the Minister of Economic Affairs from Schwerin, Wolfgang Blank, alongside district leaders from Vorpommern.

The focus is on enhancing the so-called Vorpommern-Magistrale, which connects Berlin to Stralsund, with the goal of enabling trains to travel at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour. The federal government previously indicated a commitment to expedite this project, particularly in light of discussions surrounding the controversial LNG terminal on Rügen. However, initial planning efforts have reportedly been stalled by the current government.

Advocates, including Günther Jikeli from the Vorpommern-Magistrale Action Alliance, are urging that the necessary funding be included in the 2025 federal budget, which is set to be discussed in cabinet meetings. The group planned to make their presence known outside the Federal Chancellery to emphasize the importance of this funding.

The railway expansion is projected to reduce travel time between Berlin and Stralsund by approximately 30 minutes and is expected to extend the long-distance rail service to Sassnitz on Rügen. Henry Forster, the director of the Mukran port, expressed that this development would significantly enhance both freight traffic and tourism in the region.

Jikeli highlighted the economic interdependencies of various rail lines, such as the Darßbahn and the southern connection to Usedom Island, which rely on the improvements to the Vorpommern-Magistrale. He also pointed out the solidarity of Rügen and Vorpommern in supporting Germany's energy needs, emphasizing the expectation for reciprocal support from the federal government regarding regional infrastructure projects.

State Secretary Heiko Miraß underscored the project's importance as a key transportation initiative for the entire region. He noted the increasing number of Berlin residents visiting Vorpommern and Rügen, who often do not own cars, thereby enhancing the need for a robust rail service.

The Federal Ministry of Transport confirmed that financial requirements for the expansion of the Berlin-Angermünde-Pasewalk-Stralsund-Sassnitz line have been submitted as part of the budget preparation process. Dietmar Bartsch, a federal parliament member from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, urged the new government to act swiftly, emphasizing the historical neglect of rail connectivity in northeastern Germany.

The atmosphere aboard the special train was reported to be lively, with participants optimistic about the new government's commitment to prioritizing the Vorpommern-Magistrale. The original article contained a minor error regarding the scheduling of the federal budget discussions, which have been confirmed for Tuesday.