The future Paris-Berlin TGV line may not pass through Strasbourg, according to Germany’s state-owned operator Deutsche Bahn. The company cited an agreement with the French national railway company SNCF as the reason for the potential change in route. This decision has sparked protests from elected officials in Strasbourg and the neighboring German town of Karlsruhe.
Deutsche Bahn and SNCF have agreed to first study the connection of the existing lines between Paris-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Berlin for a rapid realization of the new direct link between Paris and Berlin. The future TGV line will likely run through Saarbrücken, a German city located further north, instead of Strasbourg and Karlsruhe. The new night train between Paris and Berlin is set to launch in December 2023, followed by the new TGV line at the end of 2024.
Local elected officials from Strasbourg and Karlsruhe, as well as several deputies and elected officials from the two border regions, expressed their concerns in an open letter in May. They argued that choosing another route for the TGV line would be incomprehensible and inconsistent, highlighting the European dimension of the city.
Deutsche Bahn has defended the route via Saarbrücken, stating that the future night train would still pass through Strasbourg and that two-thirds of French long-distance trains already cross the border using this route. However, no final decision has been made yet. The town hall of Strasbourg stated in a press release that the possibility of a Paris-Strasbourg-Berlin connection remains open, as long as all stakeholders can define the terms of its implementation.
Currently, there is no direct train between Paris and Berlin, and the journey takes over eight hours with a change in Cologne, Dortmund, or Brussels at best. The potential change in the TGV line’s route has sparked debate and concern among local officials and residents in Strasbourg and Karlsruhe.
How has the proposed change to the Paris-Berlin TGV line route sparked protests from elected officials in Strasbourg and Karlsruhe?
The proposed Paris-Berlin TGV line may no longer include a stop in Strasbourg, according to Germany’s state-owned operator Deutsche Bahn. This decision has sparked protests from elected officials in Strasbourg and the neighboring German town of Karlsruhe.
Deutsche Bahn and the French national railway company SNCF have agreed to study the connection of existing lines between Paris-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Berlin before establishing a new direct link between Paris and Berlin. It is expected that the future TGV line will go through Saarbrücken, a German city located further north, instead of Strasbourg and Karlsruhe. The new night train between Paris and Berlin is scheduled to begin operating in December 2023, followed by the new TGV line at the end of 2024.
In May, local elected officials from Strasbourg and Karlsruhe, along with several deputies and elected officials from the two border regions, expressed their concerns in an open letter. They argued that choosing a different route for the TGV line would be incomprehensible and inconsistent, emphasizing the European significance of their cities.
Deutsche Bahn has defended the route via Saarbrücken, stating that the future night train will still pass through Strasbourg and that two-thirds of French long-distance trains already cross the border using this route. However, a final decision has not been made yet. The town hall of Strasbourg has stated that the possibility of a Paris-Strasbourg-Berlin connection remains open, as long as all stakeholders can define the terms of its implementation.
Currently, there is no direct train between Paris and Berlin, and the journey takes over eight hours with a transfer in Cologne, Dortmund, or Brussels. The potential change in the TGV line’s route has sparked debate and concern among local officials and residents in Strasbourg and Karlsruhe.
It’s disheartening to hear that the future Paris-Berlin TGV line might bypass Strasbourg. The concerns raised by local elected officials are valid, as Strasbourg plays a significant role both culturally and economically in the region. It’s crucial for authorities to consider the impact on smaller cities and ensure that progress doesn’t come at the expense of local communities.
It is disheartening to hear that the future Paris-Berlin TGV line might bypass Strasbourg, as this decision could potentially have negative consequences for the city and its residents. Local elected officials’ concerns should not be overlooked, and a thorough assessment of the impact on Strasbourg should be conducted before finalizing the route.