The award ceremony for the student competition “bahnbrechend” took place at the Knorr-Bremse Forum in Munich. An event that puts young people and their ideas for the mobility of tomorrow at the center. Together with Bavaria’s Minister of Transport Christian Bernreiter, the Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Construction and Transport, the Cluster Railway Technology Bavaria, and the think tank CNA e.V., creative and forward-looking concepts related to the motto “Experience Rail & Mobility” were honored.
The students’ submissions ranged from autonomous shuttle concepts to intelligent guidance systems in train stations, all the way to original ideas such as a disco carriage. They impressively demonstrate how openly and experimentally young people approach future-oriented topics.
The competition is embedded in global activities marking the 200th anniversary of the railway in 2025 and aims to inspire enthusiasm for technology, transport, and sustainable mobility concepts at an early stage. For the participating organizations and partners, “bahnbrechend” is an important contribution to promoting young talent and bringing fresh ideas into the rail sector.
Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter praised the participants’ exceptional creativity and spirit of innovation during the award ceremony. He emphasized how important it is to encourage young people to pursue unconventional ideas, as these often lead to the innovations of tomorrow.
The jury honored outstanding projects in several categories:
- bahnbrechend kreativ: Grundschule Kaufering
- bahnbrechend visionär: Gymnasium Höchstadt
- bahnbrechend genial: FOSBOS Straubing and Mittelschule Wasserburg
- bahnbrechend originell: Hans-Kammerer-Grundschule Burghausen
- bahnbrechend nachhaltig: St.-Michaels-Gymnasium Metten
- Coup de cœur: Friedel-Eder-Schule, Heilpädagogische Waldorfschule München-Daglfing
In addition to the prize money, the participating classes had the opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes look at railway technology during the event. At the Forum, they were able to experience how modern technologies contribute to safety, efficiency, and sustainability in rail transport.
For us as hosts, it is a special pleasure and honor to be part of a competition that inspires young people about the mobility of the future. Such formats offer the chance to introduce students early on to key topics in the rail industry – and to show them how their ideas can truly make a difference.
“For us, the student competition is a great example of how industry, education, and politics can work together to inspire young people about technology and mobility. And how fresh ideas can become tomorrow’s transport solutions,” said Mario Beinert about the event.
