Traffic - Passenger Association criticizes train issues and delays
The Passenger Association Pro Bahn criticizes further deterioration of the offer, particularly on long-distance train lines of the Bahn in Eastern Thuringia. More frequent train disruptions and delays burden passengers and threaten the demand for rail transport.
The Passenger Association speaks of a dramatic worsening of operating quality observed in the past few weeks. The IC-Line 51 trains between Gera - Erfurt - Kassel - Duesseldorf, known as the Mitteldeutschland connection, have been affected by regular delays and cancellations. This has now extended to the newly introduced IC-Line 61 between Leipzig - Jena - Nuremberg - Karlsruhe.
Passenger Association: dramatic worsening
Affected is "the only ICE train pair running through Eastern Thuringia, Jena - Berlin - Hamburg". Pro Bahn: "The number of disruptions has now reached a level that makes using the trains a burden for passengers and has the potential to significantly reduce demand." This applies especially to the only ICE line.
According to the passenger association's data, on investigated 22 operating days, trains ran on schedule on only 10 days. Causes include technical issues with the vehicles, personnel shortages, or construction work. A failure rate of over 50% leads to frustration and loss of trust among passengers, said Olaf Behr, chairman of the passenger association in Thuringia.
The MDR reported over the weekend that mayors and passenger representatives demanded more trains on the IC connections in Eastern Thuringia in an open letter to the German Railways.
Collection of signatures against fewer IC offers
Further concerns are the possible thinning of IC offers from the Bahn in Eastern Thuringia. The Landtagsfraktion of the Left announced the fear of thinning of the IC-Lines 51 and 61, which include stops in Erfurt, Eisenach, Gotha, Jena, Saalfeld, Rudolstadt, and Gera. Deputies from Jena have started a signature collection. Criticism of a smaller offer on the lines came, as before, not only from local politicians but also from the CDU-Faction leader Mario Voigt.
A few weeks ago, it became known that the German Railways were considering reducing their offer due to rising track fees.
- The Passenger Association Pro Bahn highlights the worsening situation on the long-distance train lines in East Thuringia, particularly the IC-Line 51 between Kassel and Düsseldorf.
- The IC-Line 61, connecting Leipzig, Jena, Nuremberg, and Karlsruhe, has also been impacted with frequent delays and cancellations.
- The only ICE train pair running through Eastern Thuringia, Jena to Berlin to Hamburg, is also experiencing disruptions, reaching a level where using trains is a burden for passengers.
- According to Pro Bahn's data, trains only operated on schedule on 10 out of 22 operating days, with technical issues, personnel shortages, and construction work as the main causes.
- The high failure rate of over 50% leads to frustration and loss of trust among passengers, as stated by Olaf Behr, chairman of the passenger association in Thuringia.
- In an open letter, mayors and passenger representatives demanded more trains on the IC connections in Eastern Thuringia, addressing their concerns to German Railways.
- The Landtagsfraktion of the Left announced their fear of thinning ICE-Lines 51 and 61, which include stops in several cities, prompting deputies from Jena to start a signature collection.
- A few weeks prior, it was revealed that German Railways were considering reducing their offer due to rising track fees, adding to the concerns of the Passenger Association and local politicians.
