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Hamm as the center of the rail revolution: Rail NRW” starts in 2026!
North Rhine-Westphalia is planning a new company called “Schiene NRW” to improve rail traffic; Hamm could become the headquarters.
Hamm as the center of the rail revolution: Rail NRW” starts in 2026!
A lot is happening in the area of local rail passenger transport in North Rhine-Westphalia, and “Schiene NRW” is presented as a new hope for regional rail transport. Transport Minister Oliver Krischer from the Greens recently presented the plans for this new association, which will take responsibility for the organization, awarding and control of regional trains and S-Bahn trains. As wa.de reports, Hamm is being discussed as a possible headquarters for this new company, which not only underlines the importance of the city in transport policy, but could also send a clear signal for rural regions.
Currently, the tasks relating to rail transport are divided between three associations: the Rhine-Ruhr Transport Association (VRR), the Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport (NWL) and the “Go Rheinland” association. This tripartite division is criticized as impractical and inefficient, as many railway lines cross several network boundaries. Krischer therefore plans to use the reform to standardize the existing structures and offer public transport visitors a better experience. The new “Rail North Rhine-Westphalia” association is scheduled to come into effect as early as 2026, while the legal changes are to be decided in the state parliament after the summer break in September 2025. This could really get the wheels turning for a more efficient organization, as tagesschau.de notes.
The path to reform
Minister Krischer has clear goals in mind: passengers should be the focus of the new society. The association will take care of the planning, tendering, awarding and controlling of all regional expresses, regional trains and S-Bahn trains in North Rhine-Westphalia. This is also accompanied by the hope that transport will become more reliable in the future and that there will be fewer train cancellations due to a lack of staff, according to wdr.de.
An important aspect of this reform is the consideration of rural areas, so that there will be a defined minimum offer that ensures operations on all routes currently used. To ensure this, common technical standards should be introduced, and failure to comply could even threaten the country with financial consequences. Oliver Wittke, head of the VRR, sees the reform as an opportunity for more efficient and uniform rail transport, which would benefit the entire state.
New structures and challenges
There is good news for the employees of the existing associations: Krischer assures that no jobs will be lost and that the new company could also offer more attractive career opportunities. These new structures will be implemented from the beginning of 2026, and the central organization is said to be one of the keys to fewer problems and better service.
Overall, it is clear that the future of rail transport in North Rhine-Westphalia is being put to the test. The reform combines the need to create modern transport structures with the obligation to focus on the needs of passengers. A look into the future that could offer new opportunities not only to the regions, but to all commuters.