VDB demands more speed for railway upgrades
Germany’s rail industry generated EUR 13.9 billion in turnover in 2022, 8% more than in 2021. In the domestic market in particular, sales grew by a significant 22%. The level of employment and the vehicle business also increased, as shown in the 2022 balance sheet published by the German Railway Industry Association (VDB).
The industrys however experienced declines in export turnover (-17%) and infrastructure turnover (-13%) and the number of orders also decreased. For the association, this downward trend is also a sign that the modernisation of the railways and their infrastructure is not progressing fast enough.
In order to achieve rail transport’s policy goals within the planned timeframe, Germany would have to digitise five times as much and electrify twice as fast, VDB said. (ben)