 With the introduction of the second stage of the North Rhine-Westphalia integrated timetable in 2002, the VRR sought a transfer-free connection from Düsseldorf to Venlo, which meant that the "Rhein-Erft-Express" was cut back to Mönchengladbach and renumbered as RE 8.The section of the route from Moenchengladbach to Venlo became part of the new Maas-Wupper-Express, RE 13.From December 2002, RE 8 ran largely to today's route with push–pull trains consisting of class 143 locomotives and five Silberling carriages.