Overview
- The state advanced its rail reform bill, with Transport Minister Oliver Krischer naming 1 January 2027 as the start date for the new communally owned Schiene.NRW.
- The minimum annual funding guarantee rises to €1.6 billion, and the municipal public-transport lump sum increases to €160 million.
- The law secures 85 million train‑kilometres—roughly 70% of today’s services—with a pledge against line closures and an explicit regional balance requirement.
- After criticism from the transport associations, the state scrapped planned direct appointment powers; a 24‑member supervisory board staffed by VRR, NWL and Go.Rheinland will oversee and appoint management.
- The reform targets passenger gains through unified timetables, a single contact for construction coordination, standardized technical and digital practices, and stronger procurement, with no layoffs and existing offices in Gelsenkirchen, Unna and Cologne retained for now.