“Transport infrastructure is a form of security provision,” emphasized Dr. Claudia Major in her keynote at the VDV Annual Conference 2026 in Karlsruhe. The political scientist and security expert described the central role of rail, buses, and infrastructure in defence, civil protection, and disaster relief. This is also reflected in a new position paper presented yesterday by the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV).

“Germany’s defence and civil protection need crisis-resilient mobility,” was the key message in the Forum for Transport Policy. Public transport as part of Germany’s national security architecture was discussed on stage (photo, from left) by Dr. Claudia Major, VDV President Ingo Wortmann, Prof. Dr. Alexander Pischon, Managing Director of Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft (AVG) and Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe, and moderator Catherine Vogel.

“Railways and public transport not only ensure mobility, but in an emergency also state capability, supply chains, and protection of the population,” explained VDV President Ingo Wortmann. “If we take security and resilience seriously, we must therefore treat rail, buses, and their infrastructure as part of Germany’s security architecture — with clear responsibilities, sufficient staff, and reliable financing.” The position paper can be found at vdv.de/positionen.