Focus on climate crisis
All articles | More information
Reporting on climate change is one of the major journalistic challenges of our time. The climate crisis is also one of the most important issues of humanity for SPIEGEL. For this reason, we support an international initiative that seeks to take a look this week: "Covering Climate Now" has been initiated by the Columbia Journalism Review and the Canadian newspaper "The Nation", with more than 200 media companies worldwide including the Guardian, El País, La Repubblica, The Times of India, Bloomberg or Vanity Fair. SPIEGEL is dedicating the cover story of the current issue to the climate crisis this week and every day pays special attention to mirror.de
Deutsche Bahn has welcomed the decisions of the Climate Cabinet as "excellent news for the railway in Germany and its customers". According to initial estimates of the company, the plans led to the Federal Government promoting the rail sector "with an additional 20 billion euros by 2030", said railway chief Richard Lutz.
It is about "great news" and "the biggest investment and growth program in over 180 years of railway history," says Lutz. According to the decisions of the Climate Cabinet, the railways will therefore receive additional equity capital of one billion euros per year from 2020 to 2030. By the end of 2030, this will amount to eleven billion euros, which should flow into the modernization and expansion of the railway system.
Super-Sparpreis soon from 13,40 euros?
In addition, the VAT rate for long-distance tickets from the current 19 to seven percent sink - train travel is thereby in long-distance travel by ten percent cheaper. According to Bahn, for example, super savings will be available in the future from 17.90 euros instead of currently 19.90 euros. With train card discount is 13,40 euros. That would be the lowest regular entry price since the railway reform in 1994, according to rail information.
In addition, the railway pointed to the significant increase in federal funds for public transport. About the already anchored in the coalition agreement increase federal funds under the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG) to one billion euros annually from 2021, the federal government intends to increase the funds from 2025 to two billion euros per year.
A large part of this will benefit the development of urban transport systems and the corresponding rail infrastructure in the metropolitan regions, said the railway. In addition, the heads of the German government had agreed to strengthen freight transport by rail and thus make these transports faster and more attractive.
