Lower Saxony is planning major rail reactivations: Is local transport coming back?

Lower Saxony is planning major rail reactivations: Is local transport coming back?

The question of the disused railway lines in Lower Saxony is once again in the foreground, and not without reason. The “Simply Get In” association has presented a comprehensive study on the reactivation of railway lines, which aims to significantly improve the local transport network in the state. Buten and within reports that the focus is particularly on the connection between Bremen and Bremervörde, especially the route between Osterholz-Scharmbeck and Bremervörde. This route is already partly used for tourism with the Moore Express, which underlines the mix of tradition and new drive.

But these are not the only lines that are on the horizon. As part of the study, other connections such as Bremerhaven-Bad Bederkesa, Zeven-Tostedt and Zeven-Lilienthal-Falkenberg were also brought into play. A total of up to 49 former railway lines in Lower Saxony could be considered for recommissioning. The feasibility study takes into account the condition of the route, financial resources and the regional importance of the route.

Reactivation as part of the transport transition

The reactivation of disused railway lines is not just a question of comfort, but a decisive step towards a transport transition in Lower Saxony. According to the Lower Saxony state government Suitable routes were identified between 2013 and 2015, two of which have already been successfully reactivated: the route between Einbeck-Mitte and Einbeck-Salzderhelden in 2018 and the connection between Bad Bentheim and Neuenhaus in 2019. In addition, a three-year trial operation has been running since November 2022, which aims to further expand the offer.

The new reactivation program, which opened its doors in spring 2023, is based on the improved funding law under the Municipal Transport Financing Act. This means that up to 90% of the costs can be covered by federal funds, which makes it easier to reactivate economically viable routes. The new coalition agreement has brought a breath of fresh air into the matter, with a clear goal: existing projects should be reviewed and pushed forward under new criteria.

A look into the future

Another important project is the planned development of the Buchholz – Jesteburg – Hamburg-Harburg route, which could significantly improve connections in the region. The State local transport company is currently carrying out a comprehensive reactivation study, which takes place in four stages: from the pre-selection of routes to concrete planning and application for funding.

With these initiatives, exciting times lie ahead for rail transport in Lower Saxony and around Bremen. The mix of regional connection and environmentally friendly transport could shape the mobility of the future and show the importance of revitalizing old connections. A good hand in implementing these plans would certainly be desirable, because a well-developed infrastructure is the backbone of a functioning transport transition.