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DW
6 days ago
- Business
- DW
Deutsche Bahn is on track for more delays and cancellations – DW – 07/17/2025
Once famed for never being late, German trains almost never run on time anymore. Deutsche Bahn has launched a refurbishment program that is likely to last at least a decade, and the costs and criticism are increasing. In Germany, where the trains were said to never run late, a route is now considered punctual if it is delayed by less than six minutes. Since 2022, only 62% of trains run right on schedule, compared with close to 99% in neighboring Switzerland. Much longer delays are commonplace, and trips are as likely to be canceled completely as they are to end prematurely. The frequent problems are exacerbated by strikes and weather conditions. If is particularly hot or cold, travelers are likely to encounter more problems. Train travel in Germany often requires time, patience and nerves of steel. In 2024, Deutsche Bahn (DB) paid passengers almost €200 million ($232 million) in compensation, nearly €70 million more than the previous year. "Deutsche Bahn is undergoing its biggest crisis in 30 years," DB CEO Richard Lutz said in May 2025. He has tried in vain to get the company back on track since becoming chairman of the management board in 2017. "We are a long way from what we set out to do and what our customers expect from us, in key areas." The run-down DB network covers about 33,500 kilometers (19,800 miles) of track. As a state-owned company, DB is dependent on subsidies from the federal government, which for decades has invested far too little in infrastructure. "We cannot ensure stable operations on an outdated infrastructure that is prone to failure," Lutz said. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Some of Germany's tracks, rails, switches and signal boxes date to the 19th century. Many of them are so run down that they cannot be repaired or so outdated that they are not compatible with digitally controlled rail operations that are supposed to become the standard. DB's general refurbishment program, which was launched in 2024, focuses on 41 lines, covering 4,200 kilometers, that are essential for a high-performance network. It is the largest overhaulin DB's history to date. The 70-kilometer stretch between Frankfurt am Main and Mannheim, known as the Riedbahn, was the first to be shut down. Over six months, rails and ballast, 152 switches and 140 kilometers of overhead line were torn out and reinstalled. Twenty stations, signaling technology and noise barriers were also renovated. It turned out to be more complicated than expected to install digital technology and the costs rose to more than €1.5 billion — twice as much as originally estimated. The Federal Audit Office, which reviews the government's financial management, accused the Transport Ministry of negligence, saying it should have demanded that DB provide evidence for the economic viability of its approach. "The hitherto usual market prices for construction work multiplied within a very short space of time," the Federal Audit Office wrote to the Bundestag Budget Committee in May. It added that there had also been shortages of skilled workers and construction equipment. The office determined that further funds for refurbishment plans should only be made available once the Transport Ministry had "prove beyond doubt that these are necessary and economical." As a consequence, DB announced that its general refurbishment program would be extended by six years, until 2036. Next up is the 280-kilometer line between Germany's largest cities, Berlin and Hamburg, which carries about 30,000 passengers a day, making it the most frequently used direct long-distance connection in the country. It is used by around 230 regional, long-distance and freight trains each day. It will close for nine months from August 1. Long-distance trains will have to take a detour of 100 kilometers. Freight trains will be rerouted even more extensively. Some 170 buses will replace the regional trains, covering 86,000 kilometers a day to maintain connections to the towns between Berlin and Hamburg. It is already foreseeable that the complications and disruption will be worse than on the Riedbahn. DB has considerably scaled back its plans for this massive undertaking. The introduction of the European Train Control System (ETCS), a train protection system to replace the incompatible systems used by European railways, has been postponed until the next decade. This is because conventional technology still needs to be used as not all trains are currently compatible with future systems. A DB press release in May said that this was making the renovation works complicated and costly. The original number of switches has also been reduced. There were supposed to be more, as well as multiple tracks, to ensure that fast trains could overtake slower ones. Even in the planning stage, the costs have risen to €2.2 billion. Germany's government has promised DB additional funds for the renovation of the rail lines. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) spoke of investments of €107 billion by 2029. The money is to come largely from the debt-financed special fund for infrastructure and climate protection that was established earlier this year. In a report published in May, the Federal Audit Office warned that the government could not assume that money alone would solve DB's "permanent crisis." The office called for an overall strategy that should include an "adjustment" of the company structure, implying that clarity should be brought in to disentangle the hundreds of DB holdings and subsidiaries For years, there has been a discussion about whether to separate the rail infrastructure and transport in order to enable more private companies and competition in the network. For now, there is little hope that the situation will improve for DB. The Federal Audit Office does not envision that DW will be able "to meet transport and climate policy expectations" for the foreseeable future.
Local Germany
11-07-2025
- Local Germany
'Daily struggle': Deutsche Bahn's train punctuality continues to fall
Around 43 percent of Deutsche Bahn's (DB) long-distance trains (ICE and IC) were recorded as being late in June. 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. READ ALSO: 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'. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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
Local Germany
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Local Germany
Heatwave hits German rail services
Wednesday is expected to be "the hottest day of the year in Germany so far", with temperatures reaching up to 40C according to reporting by DPA. Deutsche Bahn has warned that that travellers should expect disruptions, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia, with some regional lines only able to operate on a limited basis. Western Germany High temperatures have already caused delays, train cancellations, and restrictions on regional transport in some areas. Long-distance services may also be affected, mainly due to infrastructure problems and a heightened risk of embankment fires. READ ALSO: The official German advice for how to stay safe in a heatwave 'The current weather situation in Germany is causing disruptions to infrastructure and individual vehicles, particularly in the west of the country,' Deutsche Bahn said on its website. The railway companies Eurobahn and Nationalexpress also warned that some regional lines would only be able to operate on a limited basis. Travellers are advised to check the latest information, and prepare themselves for longer than expected journey times. You can find the latest information on delays to DB services here . Northern Germany In northern Germany, rail services have almost returned to normal after major delays on Tuesday caused by embankment fires and overhead line faults. According to Deutsche Bahn, the embankment fires were seen in Hamburg, Lower Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt, and caused delays on routes between Berlin and the Ruhr area/Hanover as well as between Hamburg and Berlin. Advertisement Additional delays were caused by a bomb disposal operation near Osnabrück Central Station. Around 20,000 people had to leave the affected area, according to a city spokesperson. According to reports, high-speed ICE, Intercity (IC), and Eurocity (EC) trains between Hamburg, Bremen, and Münster were diverted in both directions from around 4:30 p.m. Deutsche Bahn permitted passengers affected by the delays and cancellations to use their tickets on alternative services. Passengers were also able to cancel seat reservations free of charge. Punctuality The delays and cancellations come at a bad time for Deutsche Bahn, following recent announcements that more than a third of the company's long-distance trains were late in the first half of the year. READ ALSO: Why Germany's nationwide rail upgrade faces a four-year delay 'We expect to close the half-year at just under 64 percent,' said Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz in an interview with the German Press Agency (DPA), referring to the proportion of ICE, IC and EC trains that ran on time. The deterioration in punctuality is due to poor infrastructure, which is "too old, too prone to disruption and completely overloaded on many routes and junctions,' Lutz emphasized. READ ALSO: Switzerland suspends Deutsche Bahn trains due to chronic delays
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Attacks on Deutsche Bahn staff rise 6% in 2024, chief executive says
Attacks on employees of Germany's Deutsche Bahn railway rose by around 6% in 2024, the transport company's chief executive said on Friday. "In the last year, there were around 3,300 physical assaults, around 6% more than in the previous year," Richard Lutz told news portal t-online. "Every form of violence against employees is completely unacceptable." Around half of the attacks were against train employees in regional services, Lutz said. Other targets included cleaning staff, customer service employees and bus drivers. "We are unfortunately a mirror of societal developments," said Lutz. Deutsche Bahn is increasingly offering employees in regular contact with passengers body cameras. "These devices have proven themselves for security services and train personnel," Lutz said. Staff are also receiving de-escalation training, while trains are also being equipped with emergency alarms to call for help at short notice. The rise in attacks came on a busy year for Deutsche Bahn, which struggled to deliver services on time during the summer's football European Championships.
Local Germany
29-03-2025
- Business
- Local Germany
Inside Germany: Clock debates, controversial hedges and the sorrows of Deutsche Bahn
Inside Germany is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in Germany that you might've missed. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Will the next government tackle Germany's rail crisis? "The greatest crisis in 30 years..." That was how Deutsche Bahn CEO Richard Lutz described the state of Germany's railways on Thursday . Lutz was presenting the company's latest set of dire figures to reporters, from the €1.8 billion of losses in 2024 to anaemic sales and total debts of €32 billion. In news that's unlikely to surprise many rail passengers, Deutsche Bahn also hit a new low in punctuality last year, with just 62.5 percent of trains arriving on time. "We are far from meeting our customers' expectations," Lutz said, perfecting the art of understatement. The endless sorrows of the national rail service are well known to anyone who lives in Germany. More recently, though, the reputation of Deutsche Bahn has even started to spill across borders. In a recent article , The Local France editor Emma Pearson shared her tips for staying sane while travelling on DB's "direct" Berlin to Paris service. In it, she cautioned readers to be stoic and expect the unexpected. So, as Germany gears up to usher in a new government, will the next 'Grand Coalition' be able to finally get to grips with the railways? On first glance, the noises sound positive - but, much like a cross-country trip on DB Regio, it won't be an easy journey. According to the latest leaked plans, the CDU/CSU and SPD want to embark on a "fundamental rail reform", clearing out old management and pouring in massive investments. As part of a €500 billion infrastructure fund, tens of billions would be used to spruce up the creaking railways and modernise the busiest routes. According to Lutz, at least €150 billion will be needed to get the job done. And, given how long some of these projects can take, several more years of delays may be on the cards. Luckily, though, the government is also promising to keep the Deutschlandticket , so you can still travel to your destination on a budget - provided you're not too concerned with getting there on time. Advertisement Tweet of the week Some of us may have made the mistake of deciding to do a spot of cleaning DIY on a Sunday, forgetting about Germany's sacred Ruhetag (quiet day) rules. If your German neighbours have anything to do with it, it's not a mistake you'll make twice. When it's Sunday, and it's Germany, and you want to watch the world burn. — Nic Houghton (@40PercentGerman) March 23, 2025 Where is this? Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Jan Woitas This atmospheric scene shows the MS Cospuden moored on Leipzig's Cospudener See on Thursday evening during a cosy book reading. Parallel to the Leipzig Book Fair, which runs until Sunday, more than 3,000 events are taking place at 350 different locations throughout the city for the 'Leipzig reads' reading festival - including atop the city's lakes. Advertisement Clocks go forward... again It's that time of year again. On March 30th, the clocks go forward and politicians go back to a years-long debate about when (if ever) the practice will be scrapped for good. The European Union has been eyeing an end to Daylight Saving Time since 2018 , when a public consultation revealed that millions were in favour. For the past seven years, however, the bloc has been stuck in limbo amid disagreements on how to go about it. This year Poland is in charge of the rotating EU presidency and wants to put the question of the clocks back on the agenda. Proponents of the change are pushing for a target date to end the changing of the clocks in order to speed up the process. If they're successful, it's possible the bloc could be gearing up to finally call time on the century-old practice. For now, though, we're still set to wake up one hour later on Sunday morning (or lose one hour of sleep, depending on how you think about it) - and gain an hour of sunlight in the evening. Advertisement When is a hedge too high? If you've lived in Germany for a while, you've probably realised that there are some very strict rules governing neighbourly behaviour. From grilling on your balcony to how often your guinea pigs have sex, every question imaginable can end up in the German courts . Most recently, the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe was asked to rule on a highly philosophical question: when is a hedge a hedge, and how high can it be? The question was prompted by a recent dispute in Frankfurt between two neighbours. The plaintiff had demanded that his neighbour cut back her six-metre bamboo hedge, while the neighbour refused to do so. After much back and forth, the verdict was clear: there is no legal height limit for a hedge in Germany. That said, you do have to make sure it's far enough from your neighbour's property - and don't forget to trim it at the specified times of year .
