The wave of privatization, which can be felt in different areas of society, is now also grasping the station buildings with great force. What used to be known as the “Cathedrals of Transport” is increasingly losing its shine and importance. These buildings were once considered central, formative elements of the cityscape, as symbolic places of departure and arrival, as meeting points andAs proud figureheads of entire regions. Today, they are transformed into “business worlds with a rail connection” in many places, in which the actual purpose of travel and the importance of urban development are taking a back seat. The change from a traditional, venerable building to a mere property, which is subordinate to economic interests above all, is not toooverlook.
The emotional and symbolic importance of train stations for cities and regions
Station buildings are far more than functional infrastructures for travel. They are places of encounter, hope, farewell and joy of reunion. For many people, they are connected with memories and emotions. Its magnificent facades, the imposing reception halls and the busy platforms characterize the image of a city over generations. The symbolicThe value of a station as a “gateway to the world” is hard to overestimate. But when the facades of these buildings peel off, the platforms are littered with potholes and the passages are dark, dirty and filled with unpleasant odors, the station loses its inviting charisma. Even die-hard train travelers then shy away from the stay of potential new customers completelysilence. Identification with the station as the city center disappears when the decay becomes visible.
Lack of improvements despite public investment
Although considerable funds from public coffers have flowed into the renovation and modernization of the station buildings in recent years, there is no fundamental change. The visible improvements are often limited to individual prestige projects in larger cities, while numerous smaller and medium-sized stations continue to be neglected. The train stations are thereFar more than just arrival, departure and waiting rooms for travelers. They serve as business cards for the respective cities, for the Deutsche Bahn and the entire rail system. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of “station dying” continues unabated. Deutsche Bahn AG is increasingly concentrating on its capital market capability. The sale and outsourcing of station buildings are part ofa strategy to reduce fixed assets and increase return on equity. The goal of achieving short-term financial advantages often outshines long-term interests of cities and public transport.
The massive decline in station buildings and the consequences for the rail network
In the past decades, numerous station buildings have been sold, and many stations have even been completely closed. The number of stations has decreased significantly, which means that the density of the station locations has decreased significantly. In the past, only a few kilometers from one station to the next had to be covered, today there are often long distances without direct access to the rail networkovercome. Municipalities, private individuals or investors can purchase station buildings that are in poor condition for small sums. However, there is often a lack of suitable concepts to use or maintain these buildings in a meaningful way. The result is a growing number of leaving looking, decay#### The transformation of the train stations: From the transport hub to the business worldRailway connection, once celebrated as the “cathedrals of transport”, reflects a profound change. These buildings, which once shaped the cityscape and played a central role in urban infrastructure, are increasingly being transformed into “business worlds with a rail connection”. The symbolic and emotional value of this building, which bothof great importance for urban development as well as for the rail system, with increasing attention. When station buildings decay, their facades crumble, platforms are littered with potholes and dark passages spread unpleasant smells, even die-hard train drivers are deterred. The burden on public transport is immense, because such an environmentHas a deterrent to potential new customers and undermines the attractiveness of train travel.
Public investments and the slow decay of the stations
Despite numerous state investments to renovate the station buildings, there is no fundamental improvement. Train stations are far more than just places of arrival, departing and waiting. They are the “business cards” of the cities, the Deutsche Bahn and the entire rail system. Nevertheless, the phenomenon of the so-called “station dying” continues. Deutsche Bahn AG,Increasingly focusing on capital marketability and return on equity, the sale of station buildings is driving the reduction of their fixed assets. This aims to increase the financial indicators in the short term – but at the price of a long-term loss of infrastructure and public value.
The dimension of sales: numbers that draw a picture of shrinkage
In recent decades, thousands of station buildings have been sold, closed or otherwise abandoned. Everywhere in Germany, municipalities, private individuals or investors can take over station buildings – often at symbolic prices, as many of them are decayed or in poor condition. These sales have significantly reduced the density of the station network.While in the middle of the last century the stations were still relatively short at intervals along the rail network in West Germany, the average distance between the stations has increased significantly. This decline raises questions about how well public and long-distance public transport is actually still accessible in rural areas.
The situation in East Germany: A particularly drastic example
The situation in the federal states of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt shows particularly impressively how far-reaching the effects of this development are. In the future, only a few dozen stations with reception buildings will remain in the possession of the Deutsche Bahn. At most other stops, only basic infrastructures such as platforms, ticket machines andSmall waiting shelters provided. Whether the income from the sale of the station buildings actually goes into the renovation or modernization of other stations remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that without extensive investments in infrastructure – even in smaller cities such as Mittweida or Monheim – the attractiveness of train travel will continue to decrease. Train stations are not onlytransport hubs, but also an essential part of the travel chain and the access point to a functioning transport infrastructure.
