Overview
- The percentage of cancelled long-distance trains rose from 1% in 2019 to 4% in 2024, with regional train cancellations reaching 5% last year.
- Nearly half of the cancellations in 2024 occurred during a January strike by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL) over a labor dispute.
- More than 60% of train cancellations in 2024 were attributed to external factors such as strikes and extreme weather conditions.
- Critics highlight aging infrastructure and insufficient maintenance of train vehicles as additional contributors to the increase in cancellations.
- Calls for continued and secure investment in rail infrastructure have been made, with warnings that delays in network upgrades could worsen the situation.