Overview
- The cities of Hamburg, Hannover and Lüneburg, joined by the Lüneburg district, issued a joint call for a new-build line, aligning with Deutsche Bahn’s preferred option.
- Deutsche Bahn projects a cut in ICE travel time between Hamburg and Hannover from 79 to 59 minutes and promises better links for Soltau and Bergen.
- Local leaders describe the current Hamburg–Lüneburg–Hannover route as overburdened and delay-prone, with frequent cancellations and insufficient capacity.
- Lower Saxony’s government favors upgrading the existing line, warning a major new-build could stall progress for years and urging implementable measures first.
- The Transport Ministry has not yet submitted its report to the Bundestag, with a vote expected in the coming months and cost estimates to be released during parliamentary review; environmental groups and recent protests oppose new construction.