Railway Network Overhaul Faces Further Delays, Minister Predicts
Germany’s ambitious plan to overhaul its railway network is likely to experience additional delays, according to Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder of the CDU party. Speaking to Funke Mediengruppe, Schnieder indicated that the completion date for the extensive modernization of 40 key routes is currently uncertain, potentially extending beyond the initial target of late 2031. He stated that a later completion would not be a significant setback.
The Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) recently proposed pushing back the completion of the corridor renovations until 2035 during an industry briefing. In response, Minister Schnieder has requested the railway company to engage in a dialogue with the construction industry to assess the feasibility of maintaining the original plan of undertaking nine renovations concurrently on high-performance corridors. Alternatively, the discussions will explore the possibility of phasing the projects to allow for a more distributed timeline.
Data released earlier this year reveals that punctuality for long-distance trains reached only 64 percent in the first half of 2025. Minister Schnieder anticipates a gradual improvement in performance, acknowledging that the ongoing infrastructure work will inevitably lead to continued disruptions and the presence of construction sites. While recognizing that these measures will not immediately result in increased punctuality, he emphasized that each investment is contributing to a more robust and reliable network.
When questioned about the prospect of achieving 80 percent on-time performance within five years, Schnieder declined to provide a specific target, describing current performance as “completely unsatisfactory”. He affirmed the government’s commitment to significantly improving the situation.
Furthermore, Minister Schnieder responded to recent remarks by Bahn CEO Richard Lutz, who suggested that customers should have understanding regarding the frequent delays. Schnieder countered that this perspective does not accurately reflect the current reality. He stressed the need for the railway to prioritize punctuality and to ensure timely and transparent communication of any delays, which he believes will foster greater customer understanding.