Crisis in rail transport: Bavarian regional trains are more unpunctual than ever!

Crisis in rail transport: Bavarian regional trains are more unpunctual than ever!

In Bavaria, passenger numbers on regional trains and S-Bahn trains are slowly picking up speed again. However, there is one big but: train punctuality has reached a low point. According to a current survey by the Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), the punctuality rate for Bavarian local trains will be only 85.3 percent in 2024, compared to 87 percent in 2023. This is the worst result since the railway reform in 1994, as br.de reported.

What is particularly alarming is that almost 15 percent of regional trains were delayed and eight percent of the trains did not run at all. The main causes of the delays are varied. A whopping 47.2 percent of delays are infrastructure-related, which means that disruptions to tracks, switches and other technical components are the most common culprits. This has also been recorded by the BEG in its punctuality and train cancellation statistics, which provide further details about the causes here.

Consequences for passengers

Declining punctuality is putting a considerable strain on the reliability of local transport. BEG managing director Bärbel Fuchs described the situation as “sobering” and the worst result since regionalization 30 years ago. The Bavarian regional train remains a popular choice compared to other modes of transport. Nevertheless, this negative development could affect the attractiveness of traveling by train.

The effects of the situation are particularly clear in the Günzburg district. A recent inquiry in the state parliament revealed that commuters in the region are often affected by delays and cancellations. Despite these problems, more and more people seem to be switching to the train, which is reflected in the increasing number of passengers. “We see that the Central Swabian Railway has become an attractive option for many,” says a report from the Augsburger Allgemeine mentioned.

What's next?

The Bavarian state government is planning measures to improve the situation. Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) is hoping for funds from the federal government's special infrastructure fund. These investments are intended to flow particularly into the general renovation of highly frequented routes. This will definitely be necessary, because over a quarter of train cancellations in 2024 were due to external influences, such as train drivers' strikes or other unexpected disruptions.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether the necessary steps will be taken promptly and whether punctuality values ​​can be stabilized again in the future. The Mittelschwabenbahn's entry-level numbers show that interest in traveling by train is high, but reliability is the be-all and end-all in order to maintain this enthusiasm in the long term.