German Railways Derail: ‘Delay Crisis Is Deepening’
- Nejla Kılınç
- Jul 27
- 1 min read
Rail transport in Germany is becoming increasingly problematic. Infrastructure has been neglected, and major routes are collapsing.
A large portion of the 33,500-kilometer rail network operated by Deutsche Bahn has not been modernized for decades.
Outdated signal systems, worn-out tracks, and some stations dating back to the 19th century are incompatible with next-generation digital train systems—further exacerbating delays.
Only 62% of DB services depart on time. A total of €200 million in compensation has been paid to passengers due to delays and cancellations.
DB CEO Richard Lutz stated, “I haven’t seen a crisis like this in 30 years. We are experiencing the most severe crisis of the past three decades. Although there is a comprehensive renovation plan in place through 2036, more delays are already expected during this period.”
Isn’t the €70 million increase in compensation paid to passengers compared to the previous year another indication of how serious the situation is?
Source: Avrupadan
