Bernreiter warns of Bavarian regional train cuts from 2029

Bavaria could have to cut regional train services from 2029 unless the federal government provides more funding, Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter said in an interview with BR. He is calling for higher federal subsidies and a new system for rail access charges.

The state’s annual bill for using the rail network could rise from about 900 million euros to 972 million euros next year, Bernreiter said. The European Court of Justice overturned a rule that capped annual increases at 1.5 percent, and DB InfraGO, Deutsche Bahn’s infrastructure subsidiary, can now raise the charges from next year.

Transport ministers from Germany’s federal states are due to meet in Hohenschwangau from Wednesday, where they plan to press the federal government for additional support. Bernreiter, who chairs the conference, said the states are seeking a total of 14 billion euros over the coming years to fund regional train services. He said the federal government had so far rejected requests for talks.

More than 40 rail companies are also challenging the price increase at the administrative court in Cologne, in a case against the Federal Network Agency. Bavaria has joined the lawsuit.

Saxony plans to cut some services in December 2026, citing track access charges. Schleswig-Holstein reduced its train service by 1.5 percent after federal subsidies were cut two years ago. Bernreiter said Bavaria could cover the extra 72 million euros a year for only the next two years; without more federal funding, the state would have to cancel train services from 2029.