EIB Funds €1 Billion for State-of-the-Art Trains to Revolutionize Rhineland Public Transport by 2029

(IN BRIEF) The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €1 billion in loans to support the purchase of up to 90 advanced suburban trains for the Rhineland region in Germany, encompassing Cologne and Düsseldorf. These modern Alstom trains, set to begin trials in 2029 and fully operational by 2033, aim to enhance public transport by offering improved accessibility, better passenger information, WiFi, onboard toilets, and increased capacity. The initiative, part of a broader effort to reduce CO2 emissions and traffic congestion, aligns with Germany’s Federal Transport Plan and involves collaboration between go.Rheinland, VRR, and the EIB.

(PRESS RELEASE) LUXEMBOURG, 29-Jul-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The German Rhineland region, encompassing Cologne and Düsseldorf, is set to see significant improvements in public transport with the introduction of up to 90 state-of-the-art suburban trains from 2029. These advanced trains are expected to ease CO2 emissions and reduce traffic congestion, enhancing overall commuter experience.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed €1 billion in loans for this project, facilitating the procurement of modern S-Bahn trains by go.Rheinland and Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR). The new trains, developed by Alstom, are designed for maintenance efficiency and energy conservation. They will be trialed starting in 2029, with complete delivery by 2033 to replace the outdated S-Bahn trainsets.

Key features of these new trains include improved accessibility, with the first and last carriages designed for wheelchair users. The trains will also offer modern passenger information systems, better mobile reception, WiFi, onboard toilets, and ample space for 1,343 passengers, including room for bicycles and pushchairs. This increased capacity aims to support the anticipated growth in passenger numbers and promote a shift towards environmentally friendly rail transport.

The Rhineland area is one of Germany’s most densely populated and industrialized regions. Commuters currently face the choice between congested roads and overcrowded trains. This project, part of the Cologne rail hub expansion in Germany’s Federal Transport Plan, aims to alleviate these issues. The new rail infrastructure will intersect with the Rhine-Alpine and North Sea-Baltic corridors of the Trans-European Transport Network.

go.Rheinland, in partnership with VRR, will purchase the new trains and make them available to various railway companies. This model promotes competition among railway operators while ensuring that high-quality trains are available for public use.

EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer expressed satisfaction with the initiative, stating, “We are pleased to support the modernization of regional transport in the Rhineland. Our goal at the EIB is to make public transport an attractive, climate-friendly alternative to cars. Modern and comfortable S-Bahn trains are essential for facilitating this shift from road to rail, reducing CO2 emissions, and advancing our climate objectives.”

Michael Vogel, CEO of go.Rheinland GmbH, emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “The Rhineland S-Bahn is poised for a new era. With the manufacturing contract secured and financial backing from the EIB, we are ready to deliver state-of-the-art service to our passengers, who will begin to see the new trains in trials starting in 2029.”

Oliver Wittke, CEO of VRR, added, “With these new S-Bahn trains, go.Rheinland and VRR are setting new standards in regional transport. Passengers will benefit from enhanced service and reliable operations, including flexible seating, advanced customer information systems, onboard toilets, free WiFi, and improved mobile reception. We have successfully encouraged manufacturers to produce trains that are both maintenance-friendly and energy-efficient.”

Background information

The EIB Group is the long-term lending institution of the European Union. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives and works closely with other EU institutions and bodies to advance shared priorities such as equitable growth and a just transition towards climate neutrality. The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed a total of €88 billion in new financing in 2023, of which €8.6 billion in Germany.

All new projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement. Investments in fossil fuels that do not reduce CO2 emissions are not eligible for financial support. The EIB Group is on track to deliver on its commitment to support €1 trillion in climate action and environmental sustainability investment in the decade to 2030, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Over half of the EIB Group’s annual financing signed supports projects that directly contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to a healthier environment. About half of EIB funding in the European Union goes to cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower. In this way, the Bank promotes equitable growth to bring living standards up to par.

go.Rheinland is the regional rail passenger transport authority for the Cologne/Bonn/Aachen region and plans, commissions and controls local rail transport in the area under its remit. It funds investments in local public transport and regional rail passenger transport and promotes regional mobility in the Rhineland region.

Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) has been shaping regional transport in the Rhine-Ruhr region since 1980, keeping 7.8 million people on the move. It ensures demand-oriented and value-for-money transport provision as one of the largest transport networks in Europe. It works with 16 towns and cities, seven districts, 33 transport companies and seven railway companies to develop mobility solutions for the people of the Rhine, Ruhr and Wupper areas.

Media Contact:

Donata Riedel
d.riedel@eib.org
+352 4379 – 86192

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SOURCE: European Investment Bank