Transrapid Petition: Adjustment to the Political Situation Necessary

The Transrapid petition has been a complete success so far. Due to the current political instability, adjustments are necessary to continue doing justice to the issue.

I am pleased to see that the petition for the Transrapid that I initiated has already received almost 60,000 signatures. This broad support underscores how much the desire for a modern and high-performance transport infrastructure has grown in Germany. By relieving the heavily overloaded rail network, the Transrapid could bring a real turnaround in long-distance travel. With speeds of over 400 km/h, it promises a faster, more reliable, more environmentally friendly and more pleasant alternative to car, train and plane, a promising solution given the frequent delays and cancellations that currently characterize the railway.

Extension of the signature period necessary due to political instability

The original plan was to let the signature period run until the end of 2024 and to hand the petition to Transport Minister Volker Wissing in early 2025. However, the political situation has changed fundamentally. The “traffic light” coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP) is on the verge of collapse, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has announced possible new elections by March 2025 at the latest. In view of these developments, I have decided to extend the signature period of the petition. The aim is to hand it over only once a new federal government and a new transport minister are in office, expected in the first half of 2025.

A new political beginning as an opportunity for the Transrapid

The upcoming new elections offer an opportunity to reshape the prospects and priorities of transport policy. The current Transport Minister Volker Wissing had spoken positively about the Transrapid in the past, but unfortunately every one of my inquiries has so far gone unanswered, as have those of the Bundestag (German parliament) to numerous members. With a new government, there could be an opportunity to bring the Transrapid into the conversation as a serious option for a modern transport infrastructure.

The Transrapid: a sustainable alternative for long-distance travel

The Transrapid has the potential to considerably relieve the overloaded rail network and reduce domestic air traffic, and at moderate investment costs comparable to new ICE high-speed lines. Germany faces the challenge of investing in infrastructure that meets rising demands. Depending on the energy mix, the Transrapid could be climate-neutral and serve as a modern complement to the rail network, promoting both long-distance service and climate protection.

I thank all supporters for their trust and commitment. It is my hope that this petition and the voices of tens of thousands of people will be heard in a new political constellation, and that the Transrapid will come into the government’s focus as a climate-friendly and efficient solution for long-distance travel. The decision about the future of our infrastructure is now, and the Transrapid offers a clear prospect for a modern, high-performance transport system.