Archive
Every rail news update we have published, newest first.
Gießen station mission remains closed: Deutsche Bahn uses the rooms itself
The station mission (Bahnhofsmission) in Gießen has been closed since 1 September 2024. A motion by The Left party (Die Linke) to reopen it was postponed in the city parliament – Deutsche Bahn continues to need the rooms for its own purposes.
Deutsche Bahn introduces heat-related cancellation for long-distance services: Free cancellation for trips up to June 30, 2026
Due to the ongoing heat with temperatures up to 40 degrees, DB Fernverkehr is enabling free cancellation of tickets for trips between June 25 and June 30, 2026. The requirement is that the booking was made by June 23, 2026, inclusive. The regulation applies to digital, paper, and machine-issued tickets – international tickets are excluded.
Germany ticket for trainees launches in August in Brandenburg – Advance sales at Havelbus from 1 July 2026
From 1 August 2026, trainees in Brandenburg will receive the new "Deutschlandticket Zuschuss Ausbildung" for 37.80 euros per month. Havelbus starts advance sales on 1 July 2026.
Dresden city council approves new S-Bahn stop near Dynamo stadium
The Dresden city council has voted 46 to 11 in favor of an SPD motion for a new S-Bahn stop on the route between Richard-Strauss-Platz and Strehlener Platz. The stop along the new Dresden-Prague line is to be located approximately an eleven-minute walk from the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
Vohwinkel signal box stabilizes: First trains running again between Düsseldorf and Wuppertal
After almost two weeks of standstill on the Düsseldorf–Wuppertal route, an RE4 train has been running hourly since Tuesday. Some S8 S-Bahn services are also operating, but Deutsche Bahn has not yet given the all-clear.
Deutsche Bahn heat cancellation in long-distance rail: how passengers get their money back
Deutsche Bahn is allowing free cancellation for certain long-distance tickets because of the heat. Passengers should check before departure whether their connection is affected.
Minister stresses: heat naturally causes problems for Deutsche Bahn
The minister said Deutsche Bahn remains reliable despite recent disruption and expected heat-related problems. He pointed to precautions for air conditioning and other technical failures.
Deutsche Bahn heat cancellation in long-distance rail: how passengers get their money back
Deutsche Bahn is allowing free cancellation for certain long-distance tickets because of the heat. Passengers should check before departure whether their connection is affected.
First EU pilot project for new cross-border rail links: by train from Prague via Berlin to Copenhagen without changing
Prague, Berlin and Copenhagen have been linked by direct cross-border trains since mid-June 2026. The project is part of an EU initiative for new international rail services.
"We are setting realistic goals": rail chief Palla brings in ex-VW manager and promises better punctuality
After a major radio disruption halted rail traffic nationwide, DB chief Evelyn Palla says the group will focus more sharply on rail operations, reliability, and customer experience.
Weekend closure between Hanau and Wächtersbach: four-track expansion work moves ahead
The line between Hanau and Wächtersbach will close from Friday, 3 July, 9 pm, to Monday, 6 July 2026, 5 am. Replacement buses will run for regional services and long-distance trains will be rerouted.
Rail disruption: Train traffic grinds to a halt
Travelers were left without information as queues at service counters grew. Traffic only started moving slowly again around 1 a.m.
Nationwide rail disruption: Hamburg Central Station also affected
Service at Hamburg Central Station was also heavily disrupted. From around 10:30 p.m., no regional or long-distance Deutsche Bahn trains were departing there.
Rail expert criticizes regionalization and calls for bike reservation
In an interview with SWR Aktuell, rail expert Felix Berschin analyzes the grievances in German rail transport. He criticizes the excessive bureaucracy in regionalization and advocates for a reservation requirement for bicycles in local transport.
Line closure between Bremen and Hamburg due to signal box damage
Due to a signal box failure at Tostedt, the railway line between Bremen and Hamburg in the Lauenbrück and Buchholz section is closed in both directions. Delays and partial cancellations are expected for Metronom and DB.
Railway preparations for battery trains: RE 10 ready by 2028
Deutsche Bahn is adapting the infrastructure between Krefeld and Kleve for the use of new battery trains. The construction measures will be carried out in a bundled manner only in 2028 to avoid service interruptions in previous years.
Construction work between Bensheim and Bürstadt: Restrictions in rail traffic from July 10
Deutsche Bahn is renewing the infrastructure between Bensheim and Bürstadt from July 10, 2026. Bridge and switch work will lead to cancellations and replacement services in regional and S-Bahn traffic. Long-distance trains will be diverted.
Construction work between Bensheim and Bürstadt: Restrictions in rail traffic from July 10
Deutsche Bahn is renewing the infrastructure between Bensheim and Bürstadt from July 10, 2026. Bridge and switch work will lead to cancellations and replacement services in regional and S-Bahn traffic. Long-distance trains will be diverted.
Restricted service: S-Bahn Hannover undertaking construction for two weeks between Celle and Hannover
Due to construction work on the platform in Ehlershausen, there will be significant restrictions in S-Bahn traffic. Lines S6, S7 and S61 are affected until July 5, which also burdens the replacement traffic on the Hamburg-Hannover route.
Construction work between Bensheim and Bürstadt: Restrictions in rail traffic from July 10
Deutsche Bahn is renewing the infrastructure between Bensheim and Bürstadt from July 10, 2026. Bridge and switch work will lead to cancellations and replacement services in regional and S-Bahn traffic. Long-distance trains will be diverted.
Next major construction site in NRW: S-Bahn line Hagen–Düsseldorf blocked
Barely is the full closure between Cologne, Wuppertal and Hagen finished, the next construction phase begins. From July 10, DB InfraGO is blocking the S-Bahn line between Hagen and Düsseldorf for station modernizations. Several lines are canceled, replacement services are being established.
S-Bahn restrictions between Hanover and Celle: Line S61 cancelled completely
Due to construction work at Ehlershausen station, Deutsche Bahn is massively restricting traffic between Hanover and Celle until July 5. Line S61 is particularly affected and is cancelled completely.
S-Bahn restrictions between Hanover and Celle: S61 cancelled
Due to construction work at Ehlershausen station, Deutsche Bahn is significantly restricting traffic between Hanover and Celle until July 5. Lines S6, S7, and S61 are affected.
Vinschger Bahn: First E-trains of type ETR 160 in scheduled operation
Almost exactly on the 120th birthday of the route, the era of electromobility begins on the Vinschger Bahn. Since June 21, the new multiple units from Alstom have been in regular passenger service and offer significantly more capacity.