A new law changes train travel for passengers in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is witnessing a comprehensive reform of the regional rail transport sector, as the state government formed by the Christian Democratic Union and the Greens prepares to make a significant change affecting the daily lives of commuters. Starting in 2027, a new company named Schiene.NRW will take over responsibility for all regional and suburban train lines, aiming to end previous divisions and simplify the system to become more efficient for millions of passengers. The state parliament is expected to approve the legal basis for this project in early 2026.
Currently, the responsibilities of railways in the state are distributed among three different bodies: the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR), the Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport Association (NWL), and Go.Rheinland. This situation has caused a lot of frustration due to uncoordinated schedules, differing platform levels, and delays in introducing new trains. Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens) criticized this duplication, saying: "Everything is checked three times, negotiated three times, and then coordinated three times." He emphasized that Schiene.NRW will simplify the process by bringing expertise under one roof.
The new company will start its operations with about 700 employees, most of whom will be transferred from the existing authorities. Its operations will be overseen by a board of directors consisting of 21 members representing the regions of the state, while an executive board of four people will manage daily operations. The reform is expected to achieve faster decisions, better connections across the state, unify platform heights, and simplify ticketing systems. Passengers will benefit from easier trips without worrying about the boundaries of different networks.
Financially, the state plans a significant increase in investments in the public transport sector. Municipal subsidies will rise from 130 million euros to 160 million euros in 2026, and then to 170 million euros by 2028. Schiene.NRW will also receive guaranteed funding from federal funds allocated to the region, providing the necessary stability for investment in infrastructure and the purchase of new trains. There are no plans to build a new central headquarters, as the three existing offices will continue to operate while being digitally connected.
However, the project did not receive full support. The Social Democratic Party, led by Alexander Vogt, expressed concerns that the reform could lead to the creation of new bureaucratic structures without achieving clear improvements for passengers. The District Council of North Rhine-Westphalia also expressed concern that strained municipal budgets could face additional financial burdens, despite its call for the company's management to be exclusively under local authorities' control. The question remains: Will Schiene.NRW succeed in achieving the desired transformation? For passengers, this reform could mark the beginning of a new era in train travel.