New Szczecin-Berlin rail link launches despite Polish funding delays
A new direct rail link between Szczecin Główny (Stettin Central Station) and Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) will launch before the end of the year. The service, part of the upcoming RE9 Regional Express line, marks a major step in cross-border connectivity. However, delays on the Polish side of the project have forced planners to reconsider their approach.
The RE9 will eventually run every two hours from December 2026, with connecting trains ensuring an hourly service. The route will stretch from Szczecin through Angermünde and Berlin to BER, then onward to Cottbus—covering one of the longest distances for a regional line in the area. Construction on the line is set to begin this summer. The goal is a fully electrified, double-track route by December 2027. Once complete, trains will reach speeds of up to 160 km/h (99 mph), cutting travel times significantly.
The RE9 will replace the current RE66 service, operating all day instead of in limited slots. But the project faces a setback: Poland's president has blocked funding for electrification on the Polish side. This delay pushes the full Passow-Polish border rail line completion from 2028 to at least 2032. As a temporary fix, German and Polish operators are exploring diesel-hybrid trains and partial electrification using EU funds.
A critical factor in the plan's success is the timely completion of the Angermünde-Poland section. The integration of the FEX airport express into Berlin's long-distance rail tunnel has already strained capacity. If the upgrades proceed as scheduled, the RE9 will offer faster, more frequent connections between Poland and Germany's capital region.
The new service will launch as early as 2026, but full electrification now depends on negotiations between PKP and German rail authorities. Until then, interim solutions will keep the route operational. The RE9 will provide Szczecin with its first direct regional train to BER, improving travel options for commuters and tourists. The line's eventual full electrification and higher speeds will depend on resolving funding issues on the Polish side. For now, operators are working on alternative plans to keep the service running while upgrades continue.
