Most Delayed Railways in Germany with Significant Disruptions
Title: The Long and Frustrating Journey: Germany's Worst Long-Distance Rail Connections Revealed
Author: Maik Schneider
Small Talk
Hopping onto a train in 2024 feels more like waiting for a bus than a swift voyage across the land. Rail travelers in Germany have grown accustomed to long delays, outdated infrastructure, and slim alternatives. Here are the top three aggravating connections that plagued travelers in 2024.
The Delayroyalty
FLX 1237: Cologne Hbf - Berlin Hbf Even the private providers like Flixtrain aren't immune to troublesome delays. The FLX 1237 averaged a whopping 35.16 minutes late, with the time recording allegedly inconvenient due to necessary shunting maneuvers. Despite the provider's refusal to provide updated figures, the FLX 1237 snags a spot in the ranking.
The Ranking Process
The data origins from a partnership involving the YouTube channel "Railway in Ö, D, CH" and the website "zugfinder.de". Exclusive numbers were shared, analyzed, and calculated to unveil the train lines with the most dreadful delays (source: YouTube.com). At Deutsche Bahn, long-distance trains are deemed punctual if they arrive with less than six minutes delay.
IC 2013: Dortmund - Oberstdorf The IC 2013 clocks in second place with an embarrassing average delay of 35.83 minutes, and a meager 29.3% on-time arrivals. The route juggles a lot from the train – a section remains unelectrified, mandating a diesel locomotive switch. This habitually hikes delays and stress levels. Of around 200 trips, only one in three trains make it on time. Since late August 2024, the line has sadly ceased operation – a potential relief for those yearning for punctuality.
ICE 1021: Hamburg-Altona - Nuremberg This route takes the cake for the worst delay record, with an appalling average delay of 40.34 minutes. In 2023, the delay maxed out at five minutes less. A third of the trains make it to their destination with less than six minutes delay. The route meanders across the country, yet dilapidated infrastructure makes each journey a patience tester. Patience is, indeed, a virtue in these parts, as travelers can set their watches to waiting.
In 2024, only 62.5% of all long-distance German trains made it on time. On these three routes, punctuality is elusive. Around 80% of delays are attributed to old, overused infrastructure – so claims the railway. Those braving these lines need a hearty dose of patience and resilience. The railway pledges improvement, but until then, waiting on the tracks remains a reliable German tradition – as predictable as the church's Amen. Bonus Fact: The railway fell short of its punctuality targets in 2024.
Extra Spicy Facts
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Bonus Insights
What factors could influence the ranking of Germany's worst long-distance rail connections? Typically, such rankings take into account factors like:
- Punctuality: How frequently trains run on time.
- Frequency of Delays: How often trains are delayed, and the average delay time.
- Passenger Feedback: Reviews or surveys from passengers who have traveled on the lines.
- Infrastructure Issues: Frequency of disruptions and maintenance-related delays.
- Customer Service: The quality of communication and assistance provided to travelers.
While the specific ranking methodology employed in 2024 wasn't shared, these factors are often used in transportation evaluations to gauge rail service performance.
- The long-distance rail connection between Cologne Hbf and Berlin Hbf, operated by Flixtrain, stood out in the industry for its frequent delays, with an average delay of 35.16 minutes.
- The IC 2013 route from Dortmund to Oberstdorf, despite struggling with a diesel locomotive switch due to an unelectrified section, averaged a delay of 35.83 minutes, with only 29.3% of trains arriving on time.
