Deutsche Bahn's Punctuality Declines Significantly in July

The Deutsche Bahn has reported a significant decline in punctuality for its long-distance trains in July, falling well short of its targets for 2025. According to the state-owned company, only 56.1% of its long-distance trains arrived on time last month, marking a nearly six percentage point drop compared to July of the previous year.

This disappointing performance is measured by the number of trains arriving with a delay of six minutes or more. Excluded from this statistic are train cancellations, which nonetheless impact the overall travel experience. When considering passenger punctuality, defined as the proportion of travelers arriving within a maximum delay of 14 minutes and 59 seconds, the figures were equally troubling, with only 59.4% of passengers reaching their destinations on time. This is a significant decrease from over 67% in the same month last year.

A spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn acknowledged the unsatisfactory nature of these figures. Richard Lutz, the outgoing CEO, had previously aimed for operational punctuality levels between 65% and 70% for the year, a target already missed in the first half and now appearing increasingly out of reach.

Several factors contributed to the high levels of delay experienced in July. The ongoing construction work across various routes combined with a heatwave in early July led to numerous embankment fires, which impeded train operations. Furthermore, a deliberate act of sabotage late in the month resulted in disruptions on the heavily trafficked Duisburg-Düsseldorf route.

In addition, a software update from a supplier in the Cologne/Rhine-Main area necessitated a temporary reduction in maximum train speeds for several days. These challenges highlight the operational difficulties faced by Deutsche Bahn as it strives to improve its service.

Despite these setbacks, the company continues to invest in infrastructure improvements, with planned investments for 2024 reaching record levels. However, concerns remain regarding the funding and execution of key development projects.