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PoliticsNew German Transport Minister Bilger Pledges Faster Infrastructure Renovation
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Steffen Bilger (CDU) has taken office as Germany's new Federal Minister of Transport, vowing to accelerate infrastructure renovation and end negative headlines about roads and railways. Speaking on July 29, 2026, Bilger emphasized the need for prioritization and ensuring that billions from the government's debt-financed special fund reach their intended destinations across roads, railways, waterways, bike paths, and aviation. The 47-year-old minister, a former parliamentary state secretary under Andreas Scheuer, positioned himself against 'ideological debates' about transport, stating he will not dictate how people should travel. Bilger replaces Patrick Schnieder, who was dismissed by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a move that caused displeasure in Rhineland-Palatinate's CDU. Bilger's tenure is shadowed by his association with the failed car toll scandal that cost the state hundreds of millions in compensation.
Source report
The new Federal Transport Minister no longer wants bad headlines about roads and railways. Renovations are to be implemented more quickly.
Published: 29 July 2026, 16:48
Photo: Marijan Murat/dpa
By Anja Krüger, from Berlin
The new Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) wants to implement transport projects more quickly. "We need more speed," said Bilger upon taking office from his predecessor Patrick Schnieder (CDU) on Wednesday at the Federal Ministry of Transport.
There must be more prioritization. "The Federal Chancellor has given me a clear mandate, which I take very seriously," said Bilger. "The funds available for transport must reach their destination." This applies to roads, railways, waterways, funding programs, bike paths, and aviation.
The federal government's debt-financed "special fund" provides many billions of euros for upgrading infrastructure. However, the associated expectations for a swift modernization of transport routes have not yet been met.
"I want to ensure that transport infrastructure gets out of the negative headlines," said Bilger. With this, the new minister was referring to recurring reports about bridge closures or failures at Deutsche Bahn.
The 47-year-old is considered an advocate of conventional mobility, such as combustion engine cars. Upon taking office, he spoke out against "ideological debates" about modes of transport. People expect mobility to work and know what they need themselves, said Bilger. "I do not see it as my task to dictate to people how they should travel."
Bilger was parliamentary state secretary under Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) from 2018 to 2021. This period includes the scandal surrounding the failed car toll for foreigners, which cost the state a three-digit million amount in compensation.
Schnieder is a Good Loser
During the handover of office, Bilger's predecessor Schnieder showed himself to be a good loser. "I am really pleased that it fell to you," said Schnieder, addressing Bilger. "I don't know who would be better suited to do this."
The two had first entered the Bundestag and the Transport Committee together in 2009. Schnieder had been surprisingly dismissed by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This caused great displeasure in the CDU of Rhineland-Palatinate, where the former minister comes from.
Source
taz.de - taz.deWestern
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Steffen Bilger Appointed German Transport Minister After Schnieder's Dismissal