North Rhine-Westphalia hands out thirteen grants to renew local rail systems

Since 2019 a total of EUR 1.3 billion has been made available for expanding and modernising municipal rail networks, and the state draws a positive interim balance at the programme's half-way point. The largest notice goes to Ruhrbahn for renewing its control and safety technology (total scope EUR 180 million, of which EUR 104 million from the federal government and the state); further funds go to Cologne (EUR 32.3 million), Duisburg (EUR 24.6 million) and Bochum-Gelsenkirchen (EUR 21.6 million). Stops can be made step-free as part of the renewal, and there is a funding incentive for greened tracks.

NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer handed over thirteen grant notices in Krefeld on 3 September 2025 under the programme for the basic renewal of municipal rail. The largest notice went to Ruhrbahn for its control and safety technology (total scope EUR 180 million, of which EUR 104 million from federal and state funds); step-free stops and greened tracks are also supported. (LOK Report, 6 Oct 2025; second source: Welle Niederrhein, 8 Sep 2025)