After the weekend's snowfall in southern Bavaria, the impact lingers on rail traffic, causing disruptions on certain routes. Despite the weather improving, a looming threat of chaos surfaces on Thursday night. The German train drivers' union GDL has announced a warning strike for their long-distance and regional transport workers.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) reported on Wednesday that the Munich hub was mostly accessible for long-distance services, although some limitations remained. Numerous regional routes in the south and southwest of Munich were still shut down. Rail traffic remained impossible on Wednesday, particularly on the Werdenfels network.
The Bavarian Regiobahn, serving large parts of southern Bavaria, faced individual train cancellations on Wednesday. However, most routes resumed their scheduled operations, with a spokeswoman noting that DB Netz AG decides when to reopen the lines. Removing trees from the tracks and repairing overhead lines continues to take time.
On the Munich S-Bahn, several trains returned to normal service after being halted on various routes. Repairs on the S4, the only line initially experiencing a complete interruption, are more demanding due to fallen trees causing overhead line masts to snap. DB expected this line to run on a single track again by Thursday.
Bavaria's Transport Minister, Christian Bernreiter (CSU), criticized DB for poor planning in managing the extreme weather situation. The Free State pays around 700 million euros annually for the rail network usage and expects a functioning network.
The rail failures will be discussed in the state parliament, with Deutsche Bahn and Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft officials scheduled to explain themselves to the transport committee on January 23. Flight cancellations continued at Munich Airport on Wednesday, with around 60 out of 560 planned flights being axed. While no cancellations were announced for Thursday, the Weather Service predicted further weather disruptions in Bavaria throughout the week.
Insights: The heavy snowfall in southern Bavaria disrupted the normal rail traffic, and the low temperatures made tree removal and overhead line repairs challenging and time-consuming. The German train drivers' union GDL’s warning strike for long-distance and regional transport workers added to the uncertainty for rail travelers.
- Although rail traffic had improved slightly in some parts of southern Bavaria, disruptions and transport delays continued due to the aftermath of the heavy snowfall and the prospect of a train drivers' union strike.
- The brief lifting of the disruptions at the Munich hub came with some limitations, while smaller regional routes continued to struggle with closures.
- The ongoing rail traffic situation in southern Bavaria had been a topic of intense criticism from Bavaria's Transport Minister, who expected a better preparedness and functioning rail network from Deutsche Bahn.
- Flights were still being canceled at Munich Airport on Wednesday, despite no cancellations being announced for the following day.
- The sudden weather shifts and ongoing maintenance were expected to affect everyday life in Bavaria in the coming days, with rain or snow forecast for some areas.
As a responsible traveler, it's essential to be aware of these disruptions and adjust your travel plans accordingly. Consider using alternative transportation methods, like the city’s tram or bus services, or exploring local attractions to have enjoyable and memorable experiences in Bavaria during this period.
