Almost half of Germany’s long-distance trains faced significant delays in October 2023, with only 51.5% arriving on time. This alarming statistic marks what could be a new record for the state-owned railway operator, Deutsche Bahn. The situation has sparked renewed scrutiny of the service, which has been criticized for ongoing punctuality issues.
According to a report from the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the performance in October represents a continued downward trend for Deutsche Bahn. In November 2022, only 52% of long-distance trains were on schedule, indicating that the current delays have not only persisted but may have worsened.
The root causes of these delays have been attributed to extensive repair work linked to aging infrastructure, technical failures with overhead lines, and disruptions due to adverse weather conditions. Notably, Deutsche Bahn only records delays that exceed six minutes, leaving out cancellations from their statistics. This approach has raised concerns about the complete picture of service reliability.
Years of underinvestment in Germany’s railway network have resulted in a critical need for upgrades and maintenance. In a bid to address these ongoing challenges, Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder unveiled a new strategy in September 2023. This plan aims for 70% of long-distance trains to operate on time by the end of 2029, with a long-term goal of achieving 90% punctuality.
The first half of 2023 was particularly troubling, with over one-third of long-distance trains delayed by at least six minutes. This trend continues to highlight the pressing need for significant investment and reform within the German rail system.
As Deutsche Bahn seeks to improve its service reliability, the impact of these delays is being felt by passengers across the country. Commuters and travelers alike are increasingly frustrated by the lack of punctuality, which has become a defining characteristic of the long-distance rail experience in Germany.
