German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is facing significant disruptions to its long-distance train services amid a surge in record-breaking temperatures across the country. According to internal company data cited by “Bild” newspaper, punctuality has plummeted, with just 35.5% of intercity trains arriving on schedule on Wednesday, the hottest day of the year to date.
The preceding days also saw marked declines, with punctuality rates at 37.3% on Tuesday and 40.7% on Monday. These figures represent the lowest levels of reliability observed since December 2023, following the severe weather event “Zoltan.
Deutsche Bahn has acknowledged the issue, attributing the deterioration in performance to the extreme heat. A spokesperson stated that the record temperatures placed considerable strain on both the rail network and the trains themselves. The situation was further compounded by intense storms, landslides and fires impacting embankments, cables, noise barriers and overhead lines, leading to numerous short-notice diversions and substantial damage. The spokesperson also noted that the infrastructure’s ongoing need for maintenance contributes to vulnerability and that extreme heat results in twice the number of equipment failures experienced under normal conditions.