Train services in Germany are running 44 percent behind schedule, based on recent reports. - Rail Service, Deutsche Bahn, Reports 56% On-Time Performance
Headline: German Trains Face Punctuality Crisis as Deutsche Bahn Struggles
In the heart of Europe, Germany's train services are grappling with a significant challenge – declining punctuality and reliability. According to recent reports, only about half to two-thirds of Deutsche Bahn's long-distance trains are arriving on time, marking a substantial drop from earlier years and compared to car and bus travel in terms of reliability and popularity.
Punctuality Woes
July 2025 saw some of the worst delays on record, with only approximately 56.1% of Deutsche Bahn's long-distance trains arriving on time (defined as no more than six minutes late). Passenger punctuality, defined as arriving with less than 15 minutes delay, was only about 59.4% in July 2025, a decrease from 67% in 2024. Over the first half of 2025, punctuality remained at about 63.4%, showing no substantial improvement compared to early 2024.
Historically, punctuality has worsened steadily since the early 2000s. In 2004, only about 15.7% of long-distance trains were delayed, while now well over one-third are delayed.
Causes of Decline
The root causes of this decline are manifold. Overwhelmed and aging infrastructure, combined with workforce shortages (drivers, controllers, technicians), have heavily impacted reliability. Political responses have included dismissing Deutsche Bahn’s CEO in August 2025 due to frustration over chronic delays and operational mismanagement.
Comparison to Car and Bus Travel
While exact punctuality statistics for car and bus travel in Germany for 2025 were not detailed in the provided data, it is generally understood that car travel is less subject to fixed schedules but affected by traffic congestion and road works. Bus punctuality can vary by region and is often dependent on road traffic conditions and scheduling, often less rigid than train timetables but prone to delays during traffic jams.
Despite these issues, trains have historically been a preferred mode of public transport in Germany for intercity travel due to speed and environmental benefits. However, recent punctuality issues have caused passenger dissatisfaction and may have affected their attractiveness compared to car travel.
In passenger volume terms, Deutsche Bahn transported around 1.87 million passengers in 2023, signaling sustained demand.
The Preference for Cars
Rising fuel prices, crowded highways, and attractive alternatives have not deterred Germans from choosing cars. In fact, nearly half of Germans prefer cars even for vacations. Despite its convenience and privacy, cars are not always convenient due to certain factors such as traffic congestion and road works.
Long-distance buses are often an underestimated alternative to cars and trains, offering a surprisingly punctual service. They are usually cheaper than rail travel and can provide a more flexible schedule.
The Minority Preference for Trains
Despite the convenience and environmental benefits of trains, they are not the preferred mode of transport for the majority of Germans. Only about 10% of the German population consider the train as a means of travel.
Interestingly, families and business travelers continue to use the train, despite its lack of popularity among the general population. The train's unreliability does not seem to discourage these groups from using it.
In conclusion, Germany's train services are facing a significant challenge in terms of punctuality and reliability. Despite this, they remain a viable option for many passengers, particularly families and business travelers, and offer environmental benefits compared to cars. However, the declining punctuality and reliability may impact their relative popularity compared to car travel.
The Commission has also been consulted on the following issues: the industry of transportation, finance, public-transit, and the decline in the punctuality of trains, particularly Deutsche Bahn.
The ongoing challenge faced by Germany's train services in maintaining punctuality and reliability may potentially impact investments and regulations within the transportation industry, involving discussions about finance and public-transit.
