Ouch! German Trains Falling Behind Schedule Again: Only 62% On Time in May
Long-distance trains failed to keep schedule in May, with 62% of services arriving late.
Hey there! The long-distance trains run by German Rail are having a tough time keeping up with their schedule, according to Konzern-Digitalvorständin Daniela Gerd tom Markotten of the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Last month, just 62% of ICE and IC trains made it to their destinations on time—a decrease from last year's 63.1%. And guess who's not Happy McHappyface about this? You got it—Gerd tom Markotten!
"These figures are downright crappy," she said, emphasizing the situation. "The main culprits? Infrastructure that's old, overcrowded, and prone to breakdowns." As a result, lots of construction sites for network renovation slowed down the rail company's long-distance trains.
What about those trains that are six minutes or more behind schedule? Yep, they're officially considered late. But cancellations don't count towards the 62% figure. For that, you need to look at the 'passenger punctuality' statistic, which shows the percentage of passengers who made it to their destinations within 15 minutes of schedule in a certain period. In April, that was 67%. We haven't got May's number yet.
These delays could improve with some major renovations and upgrades Deutsche Bahn is working on, including large-scale modernization projects for heavily trafficked routes. But don't expect these changes to make a big impact anytime soon.
Now, let's dive a little deeper into what's causing these problems. Point one: technical faults and breakdowns. Real-time data and advanced sensors help catch these issues before they cause big problems, but they can still be a challenge. Points two, three, and four: infrastructure, operational challenges, and punctuality standards respectively. These factors weigh heavy on the rail network and can lead to delays and service disruptions[1][2][4].
So, if you're planning a long-distance trip with German Rail, better bring a good book and some patience!
Source: ntv.de, AFP
[1] Major disruptions in May 2025 led to delays of up to 60 minutes.[2] In 2024, long-distance trains were 62.5% on time (down from 64% in 2023).[3] Real-time data and advanced sensors can help prevent delays caused by technical issues, but they remain a challenge.[4] German Rail's punctuality standard of six minutes or more behind schedule may underestimate the actual delay situation compared to countries like Japan.
- The ongoing issues with German Rail's punctuality are largely attributed to the aged and overcrowded infrastructure of the railways, which is prone to breakdowns, thus causing delays in the public-transit system.
- As the railway industry struggles to maintain its schedule, finance is becoming a significant concern for Deutsche Bahn, as major renovations and upgrades are required to modernize heavily trafficked routes, which will likely take time to implement.
- The automotive industry could potentially benefit from Germany's railway delays, as more passengers may opt for private vehicles for long-distance travel due to the unreliable schedule of the trains.
