From the summer of 2022, Intercity trains (IC 17) are to run from Berlin via Dresden and Freiberg to Chemnitz without changing trains.
Chemnitz – Breakthrough for Chemnitz: From the summer of 2022, intercity trains (IC 17) should be free of transfers from Berlin above Dresden and roll Freiberg to Chemnitz. The state, railways and the transport associations VMS and VVO have agreed on this.
–
From Chemnitz main station to Berlin? Possible from August 2022. © Uwe Meinhold
The prerequisite is that the Free State secures the financing – the route between Dresden and Chemnitz is planned as local transport.
Two ICs are planned in the morning from Chemnitz and in the evening from Berlin.
Cost for the country: 2.5 million euros annually. The IC could start for the first time in August 2022. Falk Ester (52), spokesman for the VMS: “We are working with rail, country and city to offer this long-distance connection that is free of transfers.”
There is also criticism of this plan. The IC travel time to Berlin takes around three hours. A VMS regional express from Chemnitz via Elsterwerda to Berlin would be an hour faster.
FDP politician Frank Müller-Rosentritt (38): “I’m happy if Chemnitz gets a connection to Berlin without changing trains. But I would prefer a faster connection via Elsterwerda.”
–
“The long-distance railway connection has been a tiresome topic for Chemnitz for years. We have been confirmed for a route to Leipzig. The construction work will, however, take more than five years. For me, waiting so long for the long-distance railway connection is an intolerable situation I coordinated with the Saxon Transport Minister Martin Dulig before my election as Lord Mayor and looked for other options.
Now a way seems to have been found to realize a long-distance train connection via Dresden and Berlin and I am grateful that the Zweckverband and the Ministry of Transport are on our side. I am therefore in good spirits that we will soon receive the long-distance rail connection for Chemnitz. However, not everything has been clarified yet. Since the route will not pay for itself, funds must be made available. It is a strong sign for Chemnitz that the Free State of Saxony is ready for this.
For me, this connection is just a first step. In addition to the route to Dresden and later to Leipzig, I would also like to better connect Chemnitz in the direction of Thuringia and Bavaria. To do this, however, the routes must first be expanded. Unfortunately, that won’t be possible anytime soon. Nevertheless, I will continue to work for it. “
–
