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astromech_dj t1_iuvlbd4 wrote

Is that what it’s like having grown ups running your country?

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AndyPanic t1_iuw0189 wrote

It’s only a first step. Because as of now public transportation doesn’t have enough capacity, railway infrastructure is not up to standard. So a lot of things have to happen to really make it a success. But it’s a start.

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3lektrolurch t1_iuwdh7a wrote

We need to modernize and renew our rail network ASAP. We missed to do so in the last 16 Years under Merkel and now face a potential partial collapse of some rail connections. Depending on where you live disruptions of train traffic are a daily occurence, which sucks, because I love riding the train when it works.

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willie_caine t1_iuwn6e4 wrote

Earlier this year the government committed to state investment in the railways of over €60bn over the next 10 years, and this year alone DB is investing €13bn, focused on improving infrastructure and capacity. They ordered 43 new trains too, it seems.

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3lektrolurch t1_iuwntrf wrote

Which is good, but we passed on the oppurtunity to use the low interest rates of the 2010s and instead held on to nonsensical austerity measures instead of building up our infrastructue.

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willie_caine t1_iuwo5oa wrote

True - we could already have some of these improvements. Better late than never, I suppose.

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Acc87 t1_iuy1r7z wrote

Don't forget that we have something called Verbandsklage since the early '00s that makes every single infrastructure project a huge extensively long process as they all will go before court, often multiple times. Can't just build new railroads, bridges or anything really. Look at the state of the Fehmarn Belt crossing as an example.

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MrmmphMrmmph t1_iuxprnb wrote

At 8 Euro for the summer that was a toddler suggestion. Packed and tons of cancellations, not the German trains I was used to. I should have rented a car when I visited. Maybe this rate will ease that congestion enough.

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ProfDumm t1_iuy91qk wrote

I don't disagree but it was 9 Euro.

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MrmmphMrmmph t1_iuygfv8 wrote

That’s right. I still think the normal system is miles ahead of the Northeast US commuter trains I’m accustomed to. And the DB information people on platforms puts our single central kiosks to shame.

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U-broat t1_iuy5bhw wrote

I don't know when you last visited but things have gotten worse even in the 4 years I've lived here. The 9 euro ticket was pure chaos on any of the intercity regional lines.

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MrmmphMrmmph t1_iuy8i4c wrote

It was in August, that was an aberration. Once I got into the Netherlands, Belgium and France, that resembled the German transit I had been used to. I think that low price point overloaded the system for the summer.

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Esava t1_iv0cion wrote

Around here in Hamburg and surrounding area it actually got a lot better in recent years.

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