'Daily struggle': Deutsche Bahn's train punctuality continues to fall
It's worth noting that even more trains were less than perfectly punctual, because Germany's national railway operator only considers trains delayed when they are at least six minutes behind schedule.
How does June compare to previous months?
The drop in punctuality in June is notable.
With 43 percent of trains being late, DB had a punctuality rate of 57 percent for the month.
In May, the average punctuality for long-distance trains was 62 percent. In March, it was 65.6 percent.
Regional trains fared better, with 88.9 percent on time in June, down slightly from 89.9 percent in May.
According to DB, performance on the long-distance network in June was marred by equipment malfunctions, unplanned construction work, and problems caused by severe weather, which all contributed to a significant drop in reliability.
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School closures to rail chaos - What happens when Germany is hit by extreme heat
Deutsche Bahn has set itself an annual punctuality target of 65 to 70 percent for 2025.
While figures for July aren't yet available, the heatwave at the beginning of the month is unlikely to lead to improved results. According to a report in
Bild
, the proportion of trains running late rose to a record high as a result of the heatwave
When can rail users expect improvements?
Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz has acknowledged the ongoing challenges, citing dilapidated infrastructure and a high volume of construction sites as the main causes of delays.
While the company hasn't abandoned its 65 to 70 percent punctuality target for the year, Lutz admits that reaching it will be 'a daily struggle'.
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Major renovation projects are underway, but their completion has been pushed back to 2035, suggesting that delays and disruptions will remain a reality for the foreseeable future.
What are passengers' rights?
Passengers are entitled to claim a 25 percent refund on the price of their ticket if their train arrives at its destination with a delay of at least 60 minutes.
READ ALSO:
How to get compensation for delayed or cancelled trains in Germany
For delays of 120 minutes or more, the refund increases to 50 percent. Claims can be submitted online via DB's website or app, or at DB travel centres and by mail.
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Issues to be aware of on July 12th and 13th, 2025
These days, it's always a good idea to check DB's real-time information before travelling and to allow extra time for your journey.
This weekend, the replacement of points at Cologne Central Station is likely to affect multiple regional lines.
Partial cancellations and substitute bus services are also in place on routes between Frankfurt (Main) Central Station and Frankfurt-Höchst.
In northern Germany, the AKN line A1 between Eidelstedt and Ulzburg Süd is operating with replacement buses due to extensive construction.
READ ALSO:
'Four-hour delays' - How travelling on German trains has become a nightmare for foreigners
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