Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs sticks to test center for railroad technology

Saxon Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig (SPD) is sticking to a test center for railroad technology (Tetis) in the east of the Free State. "Tetis is a great project idea. It has the potential to significantly increase the international competitiveness of the German and European rail industry, secure good jobs in Lusatia and make an important contribution to resource- and climate-friendly mobility," said the Minister in Dresden on Sunday. The rail industry is one of the key players on the road to sustainable mobility. With around 15,400 employees in 250 companies and an annual turnover of around 2.7 billion euros, Saxony is one of the centers of the rail industry in Germany.

The idea for the test center was born when the coal phase-out was agreed. It can also be found in the final report of the Coal Commission. According to the report, the center is to be operated independently and carry out initial commissioning and type testing of trains, among other things. Saxony had originally planned to build the approximately 20-kilometre-long test ring in Niesky (Görlitz district). Now a new tendering procedure is to be launched for a study to examine the location in greater depth. Such a procedure had to be canceled last year due to a lack of suitable offers, the ministry announced.

According to Saxony's ideas, Tetis should primarily be available to industry, including suppliers and service providers, but also to science for research and development.