Almost every twelfth long-distance train at Deutsche Bahn canceled in the first half of the year

In the first half of the year, almost every twelfth Deutsche Bahn long-distance train failed completely or at least on part of the route. That is a share of eight percent, three percentage points more than in the same period last year and the second highest level since 2019. This emerges from a response from the Ministry of Transport to a request from the Green Party in the Bundestag. Only in the first half of 2024 were there more train cancellations at twelve percent, which, according to the answer, was due to strikes by the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL).

Overall, Deutsche Bahn did not present a good picture in long-distance transport operations in the first half of the year. According to the group, only 58.7 percent of its long-distance trains were on time in the first six months of this year. Train cancellations are not taken into account in these statistics.

“Deutsche Bahn and the federal government must not stand idly by and watch the increase and high level of canceled long-distance trains,” warns Green MP Matthias Gastel. The cancellations and delays often have to do with vehicle malfunctions. »The preventative maintenance of trains should be strengthened. More reserve trains and personnel should be available in important nodes.