Regiobahn electrifies S 28 Wuppertal–Kaarst by end of 2026

Transport minister Krischer visited Mettmann on 8 April 2026 to review electrification of the Regiobahn S 28; the switch to electric operation is due to be completed by the end of 2026. Total costs for the extension to Wuppertal and the electrification are about EUR 170 million (federal government 60%, state 30%, Regiobahn 10%); on roughly 50 km of line, about 6,000 t of CO₂ a year are saved. Statewide, more than 250 km are to be newly electrified by 2032, including the Eifel line, Voreifelbahn and Erft Valley line by 2028. The date is a placeholder for the year-end stated (LOK Report, 8 Apr 2026). Update (1 September 2026): Regiobahn will start electric operation on the S 28 only on 13 June 2027 instead of 13 December 2026. The reasons are very hard rock layers near Neandertal and Wuppertal-Dornap and a lack of possession windows for connections to the DB network in Wuppertal, Düsseldorf-Gerresheim and Neuss (Regiobahn, 1 September 2026).