Delays in improving accessibility are jeopardising the transport transition and inclusion in Münster
We are calling for swift action to make our stations in Sprakel, Albachten and Amelsbüren accessible. As early as 2019, the city administration was instructed to commission an external firm with the design planning for upgrading the station in Sprakel. Five years later, however, there has been no progress whatsoever. This delay sends a disastrous signal for the transport transition in Münster.
“It is completely incomprehensible that nothing has been done after five years and that we have received no information whatsoever from the administration,” criticise Sebastian Kappen and councillor Dr Martin Grewer of the Volt council group. A council question submitted by the Volt council group in June 2024 on the current status of the project has remained unanswered. Deutsche Bahn was also unable to say whether and when Münster-Sprakel station will be converted to be accessible. “This lack of transparency and communication is unacceptable to us.”
Lack of progress contradicts climate targets
The City of Münster has always stressed in the past that it wants to play a pioneering role in the transport transition and in achieving its climate targets. High-quality, accessible public transport is an important part of these goals. The delays in making the stations accessible contradict these goals and jeopardise the mobility of residents, especially those with reduced mobility.
“Accessible railway stations are an essential part of the transport transition and of inclusion,” Kappen continues. “It is unacceptable that people with reduced mobility should continue to face obstacles in accessing fast public transport!”
The city administration’s credibility problem
The Volt council group also has concerns about the major S-Bahn Münsterland project. “Delays like these and the generally slow pace at which the major S-Bahn Münsterland project is being implemented point to a growing credibility problem, which the administration is making even worse through its inaction,” explains Kappen.
Call for immediate action
The Volt council group calls on the city administration to provide transparency on the current status of the plans without delay and to initiate the steps needed to make the stations in Sprakel, Albachten and Amelsbüren accessible. Cooperation with Deutsche Bahn must be stepped up in order to push ahead with the upgrades as quickly as possible.
