Adapting timetables promptly due to staff shortage at HSB - School Lacking Personnel Forced to Alter Class Schedules Immediately
The Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB) has announced that it will be operating on an altered schedule from August 13 to August 22, 2025, due to temporary staff shortages. This change will affect the Brockenbahn and other connections on the network.
During this period, the Brockenbahn will operate with a reduced service. Not all trains will run as usual, leading to fewer departures and potential adjustments in connection times with other lines on the Harz narrow-gauge railway network. This may cause inconvenience for travelers intending to reach the Brocken summit or connect via other HSB routes.
Despite the challenges, the railway company has assured passengers that a rail replacement service will be set up during this period. However, two steam train connections in the late afternoon will not be offered due to the staff shortages.
The Brockenbahn will continue to run six times a day during this period. The impact on the rest of the network is minimal. The railway company has announced these changes from Wernigerode.
Travelers are advised to check for updated timetables and possible cancellations or delays as the affected period approaches. Details on exact train times or which connections are impacted are typically published by HSB on their official website or local notices shortly before the affected dates.
This schedule change is intended to ensure safe operations while managing limited personnel resources, but it does temporarily reduce the frequency and reliability of Brockenbahn and related services during these days. The HSB encourages passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and to check for updates regularly.
The Commission has also decided to grant a Community guarantee to the EIB in the form of a loan for the financing of small and medium-scale projects in the following areas: industry, finance, public-transit, and transportation, taking into account the current challenges faced by public transportation services like the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB), which announced alterations in their schedule due to temporary staff shortages. This loan may potentially aid similar institutions in overcoming such difficulties and maintaining efficient operations.
