Schieneninfrastruktur: Bahn: Ab 2029 soll Pünktlichkeit wieder besser werden

Despite extensive track modernizations across Germany's rail network, long-distance trains remain increasingly punctual-free, according to Philipp Nagl, head of infrastructure subsidiary DB InfraGo. Nagl outlined a timeline for when the situation should improve, with the Hannover-Berlin upgrade concluding by the end of this year, followed by the Hamburg-Hannover upgrade in 2029. Once the major stretches are completed, Nagl believes train punctuality will improve nationwide.

The plan involves major track overhauls, known as general renovations, to restore the outdated rail network. Numerous stretches are affected by this project, which has undergone revisions due to delays and ongoing issues. Former Bahn chief Richard Lutz had previously stated that punctuality should improve continuously with each serviced corridor. However, the opposite has occurred, with train punctuality falling from 64% in 2023 to around 60% last year.

The Federal Ministry of Transport predicts a 70% punctuality rate by the end of 2029, but the state-owned company is far from meeting this target. The main cause of continuing delays is outdated infrastructure, with Nagl noting that weirs, overhead lines, and signal boxes are breaking down faster than they can be repaired. He emphasized that the number of delays linked to infrastructure failures increased by 40% in 2026, due to the strain of harsh weather conditions and the high demand on the tracks.

For instance, the Hamburg-Berlin route, originally designed for one long-distance train per hour in each direction, now carries the Bahn at a 30-minute interval, with additional trains from competitors Flix and potentially Italo. Nagl stressed that these excessive loads were never accounted for in the original design of the route.