Environment and Transport Minister Oliver Krischer: "For the state government, public transport is a building block for the mobility of the future. Only through more regional projects like this can we convince people to leave their cars behind without sacrificing comfort and switch to rail. Rail expansion is a key building block for climate protection - which is why the state government wants to significantly strengthen local public transport."

Stephan Vehreschild, Mayor of Niederkassel: "The light rail system is a step forward in terms of mobility and ecological transport development that can't be compared with anything else. Especially for the city of Niederkassel, as a connecting municipality between Cologne and Bonn, a connection that closes the gap in the public transport network is of fundamental importance. The citizens of the entire metropolitan region would benefit from the highly attractive public transport connection. It will also open up new perspectives for our urban development. The obvious approval of the entire population and politicians shows how eagerly people are waiting for the light rail system. All those involved are called upon to get the steam on the boiler and prepare the rails in a constructive cooperation, as it can certainly be expressed figuratively."

"A lot can be achieved together! I am delighted about the funding decision and hope that everyone here today will always support this important project - for which we need staying power! Light rail line 17 is a milestone for sustainable mobility and climate protection," said Sebastian Schuster, District Administrator of the Rhein-Sieg district, underlining the importance of implementing this transport project for people and for the region's continued attractiveness.

Mayor Katja Dörner of Bonn: "The light rail project is of great importance for strengthening local public transport in the region. The financial support from the state government supports us in our project. This will enable us to provide 60,000 people in the region with a direct and attractive rail connection to Cologne and Bonn. I am delighted that, together with all the partners involved, we can implement another important building block of the mobility transition with this project."

Alexander Biber, Mayor of the City of Troisdorf: "The southern districts of Troisdorf have become considerably more important as a place of residence for commuters to Bonn and Cologne in recent decades. The light rail enables these commuter flows to be handled in an environmentally friendly manner. In addition, the existing "Balkan route" will offer commuters from Cologne and Bonn a fast and environmentally friendly cycle connection to Troisdorf."

Ascan Egerer, Alderman for Mobility of the City of Cologne, commented: "I am delighted that the funding from the state is bringing the realization of this important transport project for the region and the city of Cologne much closer. Attractive and fast rail connections between the centers of Bonn and Cologne are the key to motivating more commuters in the region to stop using their cars. We all have a responsibility to massively expand eco-mobility in line with climate protection targets and the goal of making our cities climate-neutral."

Norbert Reinkober, Managing Director of "go.Rheinland": "Closing the gap in the light rail network will take public transport in this region to a whole new level. We are therefore delighted that the millions made available by the state mean that planning can now really take off."

In recent years, the preliminary studies for the Bonn - Niederkassel - Cologne light rail project have been completed. This included, in particular, examining the technical feasibility and the framework conditions for integration into the existing light rail networks of Cologne and Bonn, determining a preferred route and carrying out a cost-benefit analysis. In addition, it was agreed with the two transport ministries at federal and state level that the realization of the project is generally eligible for financial support from the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG).

On March 9, 2022, the light rail project was included in the public transport requirements plan and the public transport infrastructure financing plan for North Rhine-Westphalia by resolution of the state parliament's transport committee. On this basis, the district council and city councils of the three responsible public transport authorities Rhein-Sieg-Kreis, the City of Cologne and the City of Bonn decided to initiate the next planning steps in summer 2022. Specifically, this involves planning up to service phase IV (approval planning) of the HOAI (Fee Structure for Architects and Engineers), including a preliminary feasibility study for the necessary Rhine crossing. Only once this work has been completed can planning permission for the light rail project actually be granted as part of a planning approval procedure. Due to the complexity and scope of the overall project, it is likely to be realized in several construction stages.

Details of the light rail project can be found in the attached project documentation.