Schleswig-Holstein presents regional rail plan for 2027 to 2031

More capacity (double-deck and longer trains), upgrading and electrification of Neumünster–Bad Oldesloe, S5, S4 east, Marschbahn electrification and reactivation of Bergedorf–Geesthacht; projects are ranked as set, to be planned or to be examined.

The plan aims to raise rail demand and make the system more reliable; the previous plan achieved demand growth of almost 20 per cent over 2019–2025. It includes the new RE78 line Kiel–Hamburg via Bad Segeberg and an upgrade of the Elmshorn junction; projects classed as set are considered likely to be affordable under current financial planning, according to the state. 840 comments were processed in the consultation. (LOK Report, 10 Jul 2026)