Deutsche Bahn sets up expert commission to test whether fewer trains mean more punctuality

A commission on timetables

Deutsche Bahn has commissioned an independent expert commission to examine whether running fewer trains would make its services more punctual, a company spokesperson confirmed on Friday, 30 October. The panel, named "Robuster Fahrplan" (Robust Timetable), was convened by DB InfraGO, the subsidiary responsible for the rail network and stations. According to InfraGO documents for the Bundestag transport committee, which the German Press Agency has seen, the Swiss timetable specialist SMA und Partner AG will support the group. The Tagesspiegel first reported the plan, citing a company notice to members of the committee.

Why trains run late

Deutsche Bahn attributes most of its delays to an aging rail network, made worse by overload, particularly at the large junctions. The documents state that in 2025 more than 10% of trains ran on routes with utilisation above 115%, meaning considerably more trains run on those sections than planned. The resulting congestion on the tracks has, according to the company, raised delays caused by queuing by 150% over the past ten years. In most months this year almost every second long-distance train failed to arrive on time. The company's figures show that only 52.4% of long-distance trains reached their destination on time in September, the most recent month cited. Last year, 60% of long-distance trains arrived without significant delay, and DIE WELT reported that if the trend holds, the year could end with a record low for punctuality.

Former rail commissioner's view

Enak Ferlemann, the former federal government rail commissioner, sits on the supervisory board of DB InfraGO and is set to join the commission, according to the InfraGO documents. Speaking to the Tagesspiegel, he made a blunt case for the review.

“With the commission we want to tell people the truth: given the state of things, far too many trains run on our tracks.”

Ferlemann said the commission would first examine the current state of the network and establish how many trains it can reliably carry. He offered one possible example: a single long-distance train per hour between Berlin and Hamburg, instead of one every 30 minutes, with those trains running reliably. He argued that punctuality had once been one of the rail operator's strengths, but overload had cost it that advantage. N-tv noted that even Berlin to Hamburg, a route in very good condition, still sees plenty go wrong.

Timetable and next steps

The commission is due to start work on 3 November in Berlin. Its first proposals for more reliable rail service are expected early next year, and they will then be assessed together with politicians, the federal states and the industry. The company stresses that whether trains will actually be cut remains open. A Deutsche Bahn spokesperson described the approach in these words:

“The experts will discuss at several meetings, drawing on a great deal of experience and from many angles, with an open outcome.”

Passengers are left with the question of whether Deutsche Bahn will run less often but more reliably.

For now, the company has only confirmed that specialists will test whether a smaller timetable would work.