Unsatisfactory Train Delays: Minister Wissing Responds to Infrastructure Neglect
According to a DB spokesperson, a whopping 75% of long-distance trains encountered at least one construction site on their journey last November . This massive construction backlog has forced DB to ramp up construction activities, which contribute to the trains' poor punctuality figures. The main culprit? Short-term construction activities, which have significantly increased year after year .
Minister Volker Wissing candidly admitted that the current punctuality rates are unacceptable and attributed the issue to decades of infrastructure neglect . In an attempt to rectify this problem, Wissing announced plans for the core renovation of the Riedbahn between Mannheim and Frankfurt next year . Wissing is hopeful that this renovation will positively impact reliability and punctuality across Germany.
The Railway and Transport Union (EVG) issued a stark warning, predicting potential collapse of the railroads due to tight budgets and the lack of planned investments in rail infrastructure . Without these billion-euro investments, the general overhaul may be at risk, EVG Chairman Martin Burkert reportedly said .
The 'BamS' report revealed that punctuality declined by a staggering 9 percentage points last month compared to November 2022 . By mid-2023, only 63.5% of trains were punctual. A glimmer of hope came in January 2023, when the punctuality rate stood at 73.2%. However, poor planning and construction activities resulted in a disappointing 63.5% punctuality rate by November .
Enrichment Insights: Addressing Train Delays
To tackle the issue of train punctuality, Deutsche Bahn has proposed various solutions and plans, addressing both infrastructure challenges and financing concerns.
- Comprehensive Renovation Plans: Deutsche Bahn plans to modernize over 40 heavily trafficked rail corridors by 2030 . The renovations will include upgrades to tracks, switches, control systems, and stations, as well as digital enhancements for improved operational efficiency.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Digital enhancements, track and station updates, and route closures are some of the infrastructure improvements planned by Deutsche Bahn to minimize delays and improve rail performance .
- Funding Allocation: The Union advocates for a more systematic funding model for transportation infrastructure to address the financial needs of each sector directly .
- Monitoring and Evaluation: If they come into power, the Union plans to review each proposed project to determine its necessity and impact on punctuality and reliability .
- Addressing Underlying Issues: The renovation efforts aim to address the deteriorating infrastructure, thereby reducing delays and improving overall rail network performance .
- Short-term Improvements: In January 2025, long-distance trains recorded a 4 percentage point improvement in punctuality, as 66.9% of ICE and IC trains reached their destinations without significant delays .
: : Funke Medien : Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung :
