Delays on the Lower Rhine Train Line Once Again
Get ready for another bump in your travel plans, folks! Deutsche Bahn has announced some construction work that will close sections of the Lower Rhine train line between Oberhausen and Arnhem in the Netherlands for the next two weeks. This means numerous trains, including long-distance services heading towards Amsterdam and several local lines, will face cancellations.
The good news is that this construction is part of the railroad's expansion plan to improve freight traffic along the European freight corridor, which stretches from Rotterdam to Genoa. However, from December 3rd to the 8th, long-distance trains like the ICE Amsterdam-Frankfurt will be rerouted, and Oberhausen, Duisburg, Düsseldorf, and Arnhem stops will be canceled. Local services, such as those running on the RE5, RE19, RE44, and RE49 lines, will start cancelations earlier.
Passengers, brace yourself for for longer journey times and some change-ups to your travel plans, as the railroad looks to bus replacements on five different lines, including express buses.
But what about those of you who can't bear the thought of a car journey? Here are some alternative transportation options:
- Car trains, like the Urlaubs-Express, which offers routes from Hamburg to Munich, Innsbruck, and from Düsseldorf to Innsbruck. A great choice for those looking to transport their cars without adding to the road congestion during the closure.
- Motorcycle train services, also operated by the Urlaubs-Express, are available for enthusiasts heading towards Austria, reducing the number of motorcycles on the roads during the closure period.
- Jump on public bus services. With increased demand for transportation, you might encounter congestion on roads, so make sure there's enough capacity to avoid bus service breakdowns.
- Private car sharing or ride-sharing services could also be an option, but be prepared for more vehicles on the roads, which isn't the best for your commute and the environment.
- If you can find alternative routes, try those out to avoid the closed sections and potential heavy traffic elsewhere.
- Lastly, rail freight transport is a great way to shift the load from roads to rail, and while this specific example, the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, isn't within the Lower Rhine region, it's worth noting that rail freight can significantly reduce road traffic and environmental damage.
While these alternative transportation options are available, you might want to consider public awareness campaigns, discounts or incentives for using car trains or motorcycles, and improved public transportation services to handle the increased demand to make your commutes more comfortable during the closure.
Check the official DB website for the latest information, and stay safe on the roads!
Source:
References:
- "Car Train Services in Europe."
- "Gotthard Base Tunnel: facts and figures."
