Special train rallies support for Berlin-Stralsund high-speed rail upgrade
A special train carrying over 50 passengers, including business representatives and mayors, departed from Sassnitz on Rügen. The train, chartered from the Lusatian Steam Locomotive Club, was bound for Berlin to demonstrate support for the Vorpommern-Magistrale project. The project aims to upgrade the rail line between Berlin and Stralsund to allow speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
The mood on the train was described as 'jubilant and cheerful' by Günther Jikeli of the Vorpommern-Magistrale Action Alliance. Heiko Miraß (SPD), the state secretary responsible for the region, joined the trip and emphasised the project's significance as a 'central transport initiative for the entire region'. The project, led by Patrick Schnieder (CDU), the Federal Minister for Transport, seeks federal funding to extend high-speed rail service to Sassnitz on Rügen and reduce travel time between Berlin and Stralsund by roughly half an hour.
Supporters of the Vorpommern-Magistrale Action Alliance took the special train to Berlin to push for the necessary funds to be included in the 2025 federal budget. The Cabinet is set to approve the draft on Tuesday, with the Federal Transport Ministry confirming that the necessary funds have been submitted as part of the budget drafting process.
The special train's journey to Berlin underscored the region's commitment to the Vorpommern-Magistrale project. If approved, the rail upgrade will significantly improve connectivity and reduce travel time between Berlin and Stralsund, benefiting both residents and businesses in the region.
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