Berlin and Brandenburg are prepared to fund preparatory studies and plans for upgrading and expanding rail infrastructure in the region, and the three partners have agreed to set up an i2030 steering committee with the first meeting scheduled for November 29. Planning for i2030 projects will be coordinated by Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association (VBB) and implemented jointly with Berlin, Brandenburg and DB.

Eight corridors or specific measures have been identified where work is needed to increase capacity, eliminate bottlenecks or introduce new services. These comprise:
• Berlin - Spandau - Nauen (1 on map)
• Potsdamer Stammbahn (2)
• Prignitz Express: Velten (3)
• Nordbahn/Heidekrautbahn (4)
• Regional Express Line RE1 (5)
• Berlin - Dresden: Rangsdorf (6)
• Königs Wusterhausen station (7), and
• S-Bahn bottleneck removal and further development (8).

Berlin i2030 map

“The trains are getting more full, especially in peak times when it is becoming increasingly difficult to get a seat,” says Ms Susanne Henckel, managing director of VBB. “We have to offer more trains and more capacity in the future, which requires more infrastructure such as longer platforms and additional tracks, and it is also necessary to eliminate bottlenecks.”