I do not understand the traffic policy of the german government. Whilst I understand the aim of efficiency increase of the privatisation of the german railway Deutsche Bahn – and believe that this is a good idea given that the trains are still too slow and too inflexible – I do not understand why the Deutsche Bahn AG has to possess the tracks. This combination contains a big danger: The first goal of an incorporation is the enhancement of the shareholders’ value and not the realisation of the governmental mandate of traffic infrastructure. In such a scenario it is very likely that only main tracks will survive. For example, faster trains should lead to disproportional increasements of ridership finally possibly implying even lower prices.

Some german highways such as the north-south A5 are a sole chain of trucks. Where is DB Cargo? Wouldn’t a train be much faster? Where’s the flexible DB Cargo solution for this? How’s the reasoning? DB Cargo is too inflexible because the tracks are not spread all over Germany? Ergo, more trucks on the road and the side tracks become unprofitable. Thus, keep only the main tracks. Hence, DB Cargo is inflexible! This circulus vitiosus can only be broken up when ensuring the widespread of tracks over the land. And here comes in the state’s responsibility.

Air flights have been identified as climate threat? Then, non-taxation of kerosene is of course a still reasonable and maintainable decision whilst the greenest way of travelling – via the railway – is fully taxed. We need a pragmatic rethink.