German Rail’s Punctuality Record Slips, Minister Demands Action
The punctuality of Germany’s long-distance trains is set to deteriorate, according to reports from the Deutsche Bahn’s regional offices, cited by the Bild newspaper. As of June, the on-time arrival rate has dropped to a mere 58 percent, a significant decline from the 62 percent recorded in May and the 66.3 percent in February.
Bundesverkehrsminister Patrick Schnieder, a member of the Christian Democratic Union, has expressed his discontent with the recent performance and is demanding measures from the Deutsche Bahn’s management. In an interview with the Bild, Schnieder emphasized the importance of punctuality, stating, “The railway must be on time again. We must be able to rely on the timetables. I will demand this from the Deutsche Bahn’s management and I will ensure that the railway receives the necessary funds from my ministry’s budget and the special fund, totalling around 110 billion euros by 2030, to achieve this goal.”
The Deutsche Bahn’s spokesperson attributed the poor punctuality rates to the outdated and overburdened rail network, citing the numerous construction sites and aging infrastructure as major contributors to the delays. According to the spokesperson, a train is considered late if it is delayed by six minutes or more. The company is working to modernize and renovate the network, a process that is expected to have a positive impact on punctuality in the long run.