German wagon keepers: rail modernisation needs to speed up
Modernisation of rail in Germany needs to go faster. That includes the modernisation of infrastructure, investments in the European Train Control System (ETCS) and the introduction of digital automatic couplers (DAC) to counteract the shortage of workers.
That’s what chairman Malte Lawrenz concluded at the annual symposium of VPI (the German Wagon Keepers Association). According to the chairman, these changes are necessary to reach the growth target of a 25 per cent market share by 2030.
More political involvement
At the start of the symposium in Hamburg, Lawrenz emphasised that the target can only be achieved if the sector acts quickly and decisively. “In view of the current crises, the turnaround in traffic threatens to take a back seat. We urgently need to counteract this”, Lawrenz said.
“The companies in the sector are investing in the future of rail. We expect the same from politicians,” emphasised Lawrenz. According to VPI, Germany needs rail for climate protection and to cope with the constantly growing transport tasks. More political involvement in the promotion of rail is therefore crucial. “Apart from the charging stations for e-trucks, ETCS or the DAC should also be taken into account by the Chancellery.”
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As well, by DB, Lutz, confirmed: 80 % of disturbings is related infrastructure…
Neither redundant, nor resilient, old standards is not optimal, when railways shall prove high quality mode, at an intermodal system!
Mantra, predictive, “optimal maintenance” now longer can cover up, for fact: sustainability of track, etc., is missing.
Shall capacity and utilisation be added, now shifts are needed – starting, urgently at main corridors.
(Within a 10 year period, then completed – and paid for…)