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Budget Committee Approves One-Off €105 Million Track-Access Subsidy for Long-Distance Rail

The decision rebukes the transport ministry’s freeze, setting conditions for a 2026 overhaul.

Overview

  • The payment covers November only under the existing guideline and is described as the final tranche under the old rules.
  • The transport ministry had halted the disbursement after the federal audit office raised cost‑effectiveness concerns.
  • Lawmakers instructed the ministry to submit the draft 2026 subsidy guideline promptly and to deliver the missing DZSF economic assessment.
  • About €100 million is expected to flow to Deutsche Bahn with the remainder to private operators such as Flixtrain, and DB says the support allows it to keep ticket prices stable in the next timetable year.
  • The committee also adopted a revised 2026 federal budget that increases overall spending and planned borrowing.