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Deutsche Bahn's Train Chaos: Poor Punctuality and Delays Plague Passengers

Frequent delays and cancellations are causing chaos for Deutsche Bahn passengers. As renovations continue, the new CEO faces a challenge to restore reliability.

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
In this image there is a poster of a train on the track. At the bottom of the poster there is some...
In this image there is a poster of a train on the track. At the bottom of the poster there is some text.

Deutsche Bahn's Train Chaos: Poor Punctuality and Delays Plague Passengers

Deutsche Bahn's train services have been facing severe disruptions, with poor punctuality and frequent delays. This has led to a decline in the reliability of train travel, as passengers face cancellations and chaotic detours. The situation is particularly acute on the Hamburg-Berlin route, where renovations and power line malfunctions have exacerbated the problem.

In August 2025, the operational punctuality of ICE and IC trains was a mere 59.6 percent, while local traffic fared slightly better at 89.2 percent. The author's own journey from Hamburg to Brunswick took a grueling six hours due to cancellations and detours. The renovations between Hamburg and Berlin, from August 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, are causing additional detours via Uelzen. Power line malfunctions, construction work, and staff shortages have all contributed to the frequent disruptions in train travel.

On September 22, a power line malfunction in Uelzen caused significant delays and cancellations, further adding to the travel woes. Despite these challenges, Deutsche Bahn has announced a general renovation of the Hamburg-Berlin route. However, industry experts and passengers alike are calling for better emergency plans and increased staff to ensure smoother operations during the renovation period.

Starting October 1, 2025, Deutsche Bahn will have a new CEO at the helm. Evelyn Palla, the current Regional Transport Director, has been appointed by the supervisory board following a proposal by Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder. She will be the first female CEO in Deutsche Bahn's history, having previously served as CEO of DB Regio. As she takes on this new role, Palla will face the significant challenge of restoring reliability and punctuality to Deutsche Bahn's train services.

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