Berlin is on the brink of a transportation revolution, as plans for a driverless magnetic train system set to transform the city’s movement of people and goods take shape. The local government is championing this innovative project as part of its mission to elevate the German capital’s eco-friendly credentials.

The new conservative-led administration is fully embracing the project, viewing the driverless magnetic train as the key to Berlin’s goal of achieving carbon-neutrality by 2045. The estimated cost of the 5-7km pilot stretch of magnetic levitated railway (maglev) is around €80m-€85m (£70m-£74m) and could be operational within just two years, bringing the vision to life, according to Dirk Stettner, the parliamentary faction leader of the Christian Democrats (CDU).

Supporters of the project highlight numerous advantages of a magnetic train over the city’s current underground and overground networks. The self-driving nature of the train, combined with lower construction costs, make it an appealing option, particularly as the Berlin transport company grapples with a shortage of drivers.

However, this ambitious plan is not without its critics. Environmental groups have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of the magnetic train, deeming it an expensive, energy-intensive, and unnecessary endeavour. They argue that the city should focus on expanding its current train, tram, and bus infrastructure to reduce its carbon footprint, rather than investing in futuristic transportation modes.

The resurrection of the M-Bahn, a prototype magnetic levitation rail system that operated in Berlin in the 1980s, holds historical significance for the magnetic train project. The proposed test route from Kreuzberg to Tiergarten in the city’s western region aims to revive this innovative concept. Ute Bonde, head of the VBB transport network, has expressed support for the plan, stressing the necessity for creative ideas to encourage public transportation over private vehicles.

While some city officials and transportation experts express optimism about the potential of the magnetic train to revamp Berlin’s transport system, skeptics remain unconvinced. They argue that the construction of the M-Bahn may not align with the city’s climate protection goals and instead advocate for a more practical and cost-effective approach to addressing environmental concerns.

The future of the M-Bahn project hangs in the balance, amidst funding challenges and varying levels of public support. With competing demands for climate funds and a recent court ruling obstructing the use of Covid-19 aid for climate-related initiatives, the fate of the project remains uncertain.

As Berlin grapples with the complexity of modernising its transportation infrastructure, the discourse around the development of driverless magnetic trains unfolds, prompting diverse opinions and a multitude of visions for the future of urban mobility.