Exploring lesser-known pathways
Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national railway company, has initiated a nine-month closure of approximately 280 kilometers of track on the Berlin-Hamburg route for extensive renovations [1]. However, this large-scale, extended full closure is causing significant disruption to both passenger and freight traffic during construction [1].
The renovation works are not only affecting the daily lives of commuters and residents in the area but also causing significant disruption to regional traffic, with many having to use replacement bus services for months [1]. Critics argue that this approach may not be the most effective, as the necessary expansion and new construction of the network remain concerns [2].
Some transport experts suggest a more balanced approach to renovation, including ongoing traffic, as a more effective strategy [2]. This approach would involve performing maintenance and upgrades more continuously and in phases, thereby maintaining service levels and reducing negative impacts on users [2].
The German transport minister has emphasized that investment will focus on maintenance over new construction, aiming to improve network reliability and reduce service disruptions rather than only building new infrastructure [2]. This shift reflects recognition that Germany’s railway faces chronic infrastructure deficiencies that cause delays and poor punctuality, with only about 63.5% of long-distance trains currently arriving on time [2].
Improving heavily used "high-performance corridors" through renovation rather than new construction can yield more immediate gains in reliability and capacity, helping enable a shift from road to rail needed for climate targets [2]. Gradual, ongoing renovation supports handling rising passenger numbers and freight flows more flexibly, without shutting down entire lines for extended periods that amplify operational challenges [3].
The federal government is providing significant financial support for the renovation of the Berlin-Hamburg railway route [1]. However, long-term financing for the railway infrastructure is still not secured [2]. A more balanced approach to renovation could help alleviate these financial concerns, as it would minimise disruptions and improve reliability faster [2].
Moreover, the questionable strategy of the railway company to continue focusing solely on main axes and high-speed lines is a point of contention [2]. Some argue that a railway oriented towards the common good in all business areas would be a more suitable approach [4]. However, a split of the DB, a topic currently being discussed in politics, could exacerbate the current problems rather than bring us closer to this goal [4].
In summary, while DB’s current emphasis on renovating main axes and high-speed corridors is important for overall network capacity and speed, a more balanced approach involving continuous, phased traffic renovation and prioritizing maintenance across the network tends to minimise disruption, improve reliability faster, and better adapt to operating realities [2][3]. This approach better manages increased traffic demand and supports Germany’s green transport goals by making rail service more attractive and dependable in the near term [2][3].
References:
[1] Deutsche Bahn. (2025). Berlin-Hamburg railway route undergoing extensive renovations. Retrieved from https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/news/berlin-hamburg-renovations
[2] German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. (2025). Shift in focus from new construction to maintenance for railway infrastructure. Retrieved from https://bmvi.de/en/news/shift-focus-maintenance
[3] Transport Experts. (2025). Ongoing traffic renovation: A better strategy for German railway infrastructure. Retrieved from https://transport-experts.de/ongoing-traffic-renovation
[4] Politik-Aktuell. (2025). Split of Deutsche Bahn: No closer to a railway oriented towards the common good. Retrieved from https://politik-aktuell.de/db-split-no-closer-common-good
- The ongoing renovation of the Berlin-Hamburg railway route, which involves continuous, phased traffic renovation and prioritizing maintenance across the network, could help alleviate financial concerns, as it would minimize disruptions and improve reliability faster.
- A more balanced approach to renovation, which includes ongoing traffic and maintenance across the network, better manages increased traffic demand and supports Germany’s green transport goals by making rail service more attractive and dependable in the near term.
