Punctuality

In addition to stabilizing and improving punctuality, the focus in the first half of 2026 was on rapidly enhancing the travel experience for passengers.

To measure punctuality, we continuously compare the scheduled arrival time to the actual arrival time for every performed train / bus run. We summarize the proportion of arrivals at intermediate stops or destination stations up to a defined deviation in the punctuality rate.
DB Regional’s punctuality data has been adjusted to a stop-weighted presentation.

Punctuality in rail transport in Germany declined in the first half of 2026 despite the target of stabilizing it. The main reasons for this development were:

• Poor condition of facilities: The condition of the infrastructure remains a key factor contributing to additional delays on the network. A large number of facilities are outdated and overloaded, leading to disruptions in areas such as old interlockings, the superstructure and railway bridges. This results in a large number of restricted speed sections, which impair service quality.
• Intensive construction activity: In the first half of 2026, the focus remained on modernizing the rail network, including as part of corridor modernizations. This is leading to capacity restrictions, some detour routes operating at critical capacity, and longer travel times. In particular, construction requirements that must be met at short notice with minimal lead times are increasing complexity in the network.
• High traffic density: Most of the growth in traffic is occurring in the corridors that are already highly utilized. This strain on the limited infrastructure capacity causes significant delays to ripple throughout the entire network due to what are known as train sequence delays. The resulting congestion reached a new all-time high in the first half of 2026.
• Extreme weather conditions: The severe winter snap at the start of 2026 had a massive impact on rail operations throughout Germany. The level of disruption to the infrastructure rose significantly as a result. In addition, a heat wave in June 2026 caused significant disruption, due in part to a sharp increase in facility disruptions.

Despite the significant restrictions, one key priority was to maintain rail operations to the greatest possible extent even during the critical phases and to provide passengers with the best possible support. Following the challenging start to the year, punctuality stabilized in subsequent months right up until the heat wave. In particular, the following key measures were implemented:

• Digital command: The digital command digitalizes an established method of communication between train dispatchers and traction unit drivers.
• Reliable rail transport task force: Based on the “Agenda for Satisfied Rail Customers,” the reliable rail transport task force was tasked with developing measures to improve reliability and punctuality on the rail network. The task force has adopted 22 recommendations for actions that can be implemented as soon as possible. Some of the measures focus on the rapid stabilization of highly utilized hubs. This includes, for example, the introduction of an additional time buffer in operations on certain line sections. The “buffer minute” was already introduced on selected lines with the 2025 / 2026 timetable change, and additional selected lines are set to be added from 2027 onward. With the implementation of the recommendations set out by the reliable rail transport task force, the use of so-called flex departures will be expanded.
• Hamburg — Hanover quality initiative: The Hamburg — Hanover corridor is of great importance for both passenger and freight transport. Due to the high volume of traffic, the line was modernized between May and July 2026. This included, among other things, work on the stations, the tracks, the switches, the bridges and the overhead wire. The goal is to improve the infrastructure in the short term and thereby immediately enhance operational quality.
• Modernization of the north-south connection in Bavaria: Since the end of February 2026, the upgraded continuous train control system (Linienförmige Zugbeeinflussung; LZB) has been in operation between Petershausen and Rohrbach on the Munich — Ingolstadt line, which is important for both passenger and freight transport. The system continuously monitors the speed and distance between trains, thereby enabling more efficient use of the existing infrastructure. The speed limit on the section in question was increased from 160 km/h to 190 km/h.
• Improvements in interlocking staffing: The staffing situation at interlockings has been improved through increased hiring, as well as training and professional development. This is expected to enable a reduction in delays and service restrictions due to staff shortages.