Deutsche Bahn Proposes Extension of Major Rail Renovations to 2035
The Deutsche Bahn has announced a proposal to extend the timeline for the extensive renovation of its rail network, suggesting that the completion date for crucial upgrades may now stretch to 2035. This adjustment comes as the company aims to enhance punctuality and improve the reliability of its services on numerous heavily trafficked routes.
Originally, the plan was to finalize these renovations by 2031, but recent evaluations have indicated the need for a reassessment of the schedule. During an industry information session, the state-owned company outlined its intentions to develop a revised plan for the renovation timelines of key rail corridors, signaling a shift in expectations for both the company and its stakeholders.
The proposed adjustments will be discussed further at a scheduled meeting in July, where feedback from other transportation companies and industry associations will be considered. The subsidiary responsible for infrastructure, DB InfraGo, intends to collaborate with the federal government to finalize and implement a cohesive strategy based on this feedback.
This decision follows criticism from competitors in the freight transport sector, who have deemed the initial renovation timeline overly ambitious. Concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of alternative routes and the overall preparedness for the extensive construction efforts required.
In addition, skepticism has emerged from political circles, particularly from opposition parties like the Union, which question the feasibility of the renovations as outlined in the coalition agreement of the current government. This agreement includes a commitment to review and potentially revise the existing strategy.
The overarching goal of the renovation initiative is to modernize more than 40 vital rail corridors that are currently considered outdated, thereby facilitating a digital upgrade of the network. The intention is to gradually restore punctuality in long-distance services, which has plummeted to its lowest levels since the 1994 rail reform due to the deteriorating infrastructure.
Frequent construction work and maintenance activities have been a significant contributor to delays, hampering the overall efficiency of rail services. Once the renovations are complete, the refurbished sections are expected to remain free of major construction activities for at least five years.
The renovation campaign commenced last year, focusing first on the Riedbahn line between Frankfurt and Mannheim. This year, a major upgrade of the Hamburg-Berlin route is also on the agenda. For the duration of the renovations, these corridors will be completely closed to ensure that all necessary work can be efficiently completed.
According to insider reports, the proposed plan will maintain the existing renovation schedule up to 2026. However, delays are anticipated starting in 2027, with the Frankfurt-Heidelberg route now projected to be completed by 2030 instead of the previously planned 2027. Similarly, the Lübeck-Hamburg segment will see its completion pushed back to 2028.
In 2028, only four rail corridors will undergo renovations instead of the previously envisioned nine. Proposed delays include the Würzburg-Ansbach-Treuchtlingen line (now slated for 2029), as well as the Aachen-Köln, Forbach-Ludwigshafen, Minden-Wunstorf, and Weddel-Magdeburg routes, which are all set to shift their timelines to 2029, 2034, and 2032, respectively. The only renovation scheduled for 2035 will involve the Flensburg-Hamburg route.