After costly renovation, trains between Hamburg and Berlin will run slower

The costly, multi-billion euro modernization of one of Germany's key railway lines has paradoxically resulted in trains running slower than before the work began. Deutsche Bahn confirmed that the fastest ICE train connection between Hamburg and Berlin after renovation will take 107 minutes. This represents a four-minute regression compared to the historical time of 103 minutes that was in effect before the renovation. Moreover, already in 2025, just before the Vollsperrung, the travel time was extended by two minutes. Another two-minute loss means the total travel time has increased by four minutes since the line's peak performance.

Experts and media, including "Süddeutsche Zeitung," which first revealed this information, point to deep disappointment. The investment, estimated to cost over €2.2 billion, was supposed to improve infrastructure condition and, as commonly assumed, shorten travel time. Meanwhile, according to sources, even Deutsche Bahn employees are disappointed with the work results. The reasons for the speed reduction are not fully explained in available materials but may stem from the need to adapt to new, more rigorous safety standards or technical limitations of the remaining, unrenovated infrastructure.The high-speed rail line between Hamburg and Berlin was built and opened in the early 1990s, shortly after German reunification. Its construction, costing approximately 650 million German marks at the time, was one of the flagship transport projects of the new federal republic. For years, it was considered a symbol of modern connections in the unified country.

Reactions to this news are mixed. Detlef Neuß, federal chairman of the passenger association Pro Bahn, told "Der Tagesspiegel" that the two-minute delay is "manageable." „„Wir hatten auf anderen Strecken Schlimmeres”” — Detlef Neuß – he stated, adding that the situation becomes critical when delays reach five to ten minutes, as passengers then realistically risk missing connecting services. Nevertheless, the very need for such discussion after a billion-euro investment is telling. Deutsche Bahn initially denied reports about the extended travel time, only to confirm them upon request from "Süddeutsche Zeitung" journalists. This raises questions about the transparency and communication of the national carrier regarding key passenger matters.

Perspektywy mediów: Media and commentators criticize Deutsche Bahn for inefficiency, wasting public money, and lack of progress despite huge investments. They emphasize passenger and employee disappointment. Some comments downplay the issue, noting that a two-minute delay is not operationally significant, and the priority was infrastructure renovation and safety, not breaking speed records.