Rail Traffic Updates: A Look at New Schedules for 2023 and Beyond
Get ready to adjust your travel plans, as rail and public transport timetables are undergoing significant changes across Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland, starting from December 10, 2022, and affecting various regions during the new year.
Saarland
Vlexx, the regional rail operator, is introducing more journeys on the RB74 line from Homburg, ensuring that these trains will no longer stop at Neunkirchen but continue on to Illingen and also run on Sundays. Additionally, the frequency of the RB74 line is set to increase, offering more options for passengers in this region.
Saarbrücken will see four new journeys on the RB72 line to Lebach-Jabach, with the company also prioritizing sustainability by phasing out printed folding timetables in Saarland. Customers can opt to print out the timetables themselves or request digital copies at the customer center.
Other Regions in Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland
Construction work and associated restrictions are expected in many places in 2024, so it's essential to be aware of changes around transport hubs, like Mainz. Vlexx services between Mainz and Worms and between Mainz and Frankfurt will be canceled from mid-July to mid-December 2024, with night-time cancellations on the RE3 and RB33 lines between Gau-Algesheim and Mainz from August to November.
The Trier Transport Association has announced that nearly all towns around Gerolstein, Hillesheim, and Jünkerath will see regular, at least two-hourly connections to Prüm starting with the timetable change.
Enhanced Services and Long-Distance Routes
Deutsche Bahn's long-distance route is experiencing innovations, causing excitement for passengers. From March 2024, an ICE Sprinter will run from Saarbrücken to Berlin and to the Baltic island of Rügen at weekends, with more ICE trains on the Middle Rhine route overall, partly due to replacing Intercity connections with ICE trains.
The timetable change will see improvements across multiple regions in 2024, including an increased frequency of rail service in Saarland, construction work that will affect some routes in areas like Mainz, new bus services, and increased train frequencies across many local and long-distance routes. To stay informed about any further changes or updates, it's best to visit the official websites of your transport providers or regional authorities.
