Train connection Greifswald-Lubmin: Hope after years of standstill!

Train connection Greifswald-Lubmin: Hope after years of standstill!

Greifswald, Deutschland - The dream of a train connection between Greifswald and Lubmin could finally come true, even if it will take some time. For years, citizens have been having a wish for this connection inside, which has now received new impulses from the recent trial operation on Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania Day. This test was well organized and took place on the days 21st and 22nd of June 2025, whereby both days were enriched by free trips on the historic railway line between Greifswald and Lubmin. It was an invitation to the citizens: inside the route, which is 25 kilometers long and offers stops in Greifswald Hauptbahnhof, Greifswald Süd and on the seaside resort of Lubmin. Like the Ostsee-Zeitung reported, the journey time after Lubmin was about 30 minutes long and ended at the former nuclear power plant.

The Mayor Stefan Fassbinder expressed himself optimistically about the return of passenger transport on these occasions. Despite the enthusiasm, however, one point remains to be observed: the implementation of the reactivation could still take up to ten years, while the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is responsible for the necessary preparatory measures. In order to actually revive this route, security issues and economy must be clarified. It remains to be seen when the first regular trains actually descend.

The history of the route

The rail connection was last used for passenger transport in 1999 before it was shut down due to the closure of the Lubmin nuclear power plant. The route itself was built in 1969 to support the operation of the nuclear power plant, and the desire for reactivation has long been there. The green youth also campaigned with the petition "Strandbahn Lubmin" in 2023 to get the beach better connected. The feasibility study, which was recently presented, sees great potential for passengers, especially on weekends. During the week, however, the utilization could be considered too low, as the State Government notes.

The citizens: Inside, also called to participate in the initiative, in what many see as a "beach train". State Secretary Ines Jesse emphasized the importance of using this "historical rails" in order to better connect the population in the region to the rail network. The DB Regio Nordost is supported and provides insights into the exciting rail history that shaped the region.

look into the future

With the current state of affairs, it has become clear to many in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania that the reactivation of such old railway lines is of great importance. There are positive signals that the rail traffic can be restored in the next few years. However, as the managing director of VDV, Martin Henke, explains, there are still many implementation problems that need to be overcome. A total of 103 routes in Germany are up for discussion, 79 of which were classified as positive. The Allianz Pro Schiene speaks of the need to accelerate the reactivation processes.