Demo for faster rail connection: Western Pomerania fights for connection to Berlin
Demo for faster rail connection: Western Pomerania fights for connection to Berlin
On Tuesday, September 17th, committed citizens gather in Berlin to demonstrate for a faster rail connection between Western Pomerania and the capital. The initiative is based on the Usedomer railway fans, supported by the Darßbahn citizens' initiative and the MV Pro Bahn passenger association. This demonstration will take place before the Chancellery and aims to draw attention to the urgent demands on public transport in the region.
The background of this action is the setting of the plans for the so-called Western Pomerania Magistral at the beginning of the year. According to Günther Jikeli, the chairman of the Usedom railway fans, the original plan to compensate for nature and tourism by building an LNG terminal in Mucran, due to the accelerated rail traffic, was a central promise of the Federal Government. With this measure, the accessibility of popular holiday destinations such as Rügen, Usedom and the Haffregion should be significantly improved.
The protests take shape
Frustration about the sudden stop of the project has mobilized numerous citizens and local politicians. Jikeli speaks of a "broken word" and emphasizes that the four mayors of Pasewalk, Anklam, Greifswald and Stralsund also support the initiative. These mayors even sent a protest letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz to express their displeasure with the decision.
To mobilize a large audience, several special buses are used on the day of the demo. These buses start from different cities in the region at different times. A bus runs from Greifswald at 7:45 a.m., stops in Karlsburg, Ziethen and Anklam before reaching the Anklam train station at 8:30 a.m. Another bus starts at 8:00 a.m. and a third at 8:15 a.m., so that the citizens from different locations have the opportunity to take part.
The tickets for the bus trip to the demonstration are cheap and can be purchased as a donation of six euros in the town halls of the cities of Stralsund, Greifswald and Pasewalk. In addition, there is the possibility to order tickets by phone or SMS. Interested tickets can also purchase on site on the bus or in the Usedomer railway fans' information center. Jikeli emphasizes the importance of the participation of citizens in this concern and hopes for a strong sign of public interest.
The demonstration in Berlin not only represents a demand for an improved connection, but also a call for attention to the needs of citizens in Western Pomerania. The event is intended to help remind the political decision -makers from the fact that the role of rail transport for the region is not only of economic importance, but also crucial for the quality of life of the people there.
The Vorpommern region, rich in tourist destinations and a beautiful landscape, wants a better connection to the metropolis of Berlin. The planned Western Pomerania Magistrale is seen as a key to an improved transport infrastructure that would favor both local citizens and tourists. With the upcoming demonstration, the organizers hope to be able to draw attention to this important topic.