The Transport Committee of Hamburg's Parliament has approved the Senate's request for additional funding of around €1.2 billion for the construction of the branch line of metro line U4 to Horner Geest and the first construction phase of line U5. However, the budget committee and the Bürgerschaft still have to give their approval. According to the Senate and network operator Hochbahn, the reason for the cost increases is the rise in construction prices due to the war in Ukraine as well as inflation. At the meeting, the opposition sharply criticised the Senate's continued refusal to provide information on the costs for the entire 24 km U5 line, or on the cost-benefit ratio of the project. The Left Party suspected total costs of up to €13 billion and voted against the bill. The Christian Democratic Union abstained. In November 2019, the first construction phase had been approved without any opposing votes. From 2029, there is to be a trial run with passengers on the U5 line to City Nord station.
