In the first half of 2026, 24 of 33 lines in Schleswig-Holstein were less punctual than in the previous year. Nah.SH and Pro Bahn see the backlog in rail infrastructure renewal as the main cause – with far-reaching consequences for commuters.
Quick overview
This report is primarily relevant for rail passengers because it can have concrete effects on planning, connections or infrastructure. The focus is on local rail transport, Schleswig-Holstein, Nah.SH, punctuality, rail infrastructure, commuters, Pro Bahn, Elmshorn and the Marschbahn. The key points are summarized compactly below.
Key points
- 86.8 percent of all journeys in the first half of 2026 in Schleswig-Holstein were punctual – in 2025 the figure was still above 90 percent.
- 24 of 33 lines (72.73 percent) were less punctual in 2026 than in the previous year; for no line was punctuality in any single month higher than in 2025.
- The least punctual lines: RE1 Hamburg–Schwerin (74%), RE 70 Kiel–Hamburg (75.2%), RE 7 Flensburg/Kiel–Hamburg (76.7%).
- According to Nah.SH, around 75 percent of delays are due to infrastructure disruptions or construction work; in March 2026, 13.5 percent of trains were cancelled, of which 11.3 percent were construction-related.
- The critical bottleneck remains the Elmshorn junction: expansion to four tracks has been pending for decades, and all north-west connections run through it.
What this means for travelers
In the short term, little usually changes for travelers, but in the long term such projects can deliver more stable timetables, better connections and more capacity. During construction phases, diversions and temporary restrictions are possible.
Context
Evaluation of punctuality and reliability data from the local transport authority Nah.SH by NDR Schleswig-Holstein for the first half of 2026, with statements from Nah.SH and the passenger association Pro Bahn.
What to watch now
- Only check specific timetable or construction notices once travel dates are set.
- Allow more generous connection times for international journeys.
- Monitor the source and operator information in case dates are still provisional.