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Deutsche Bahn Punctuality Slumps in November as CEO Launches Immediate Service Cleanup

The company blames extensive construction on a worn network for cascading delays.

Overview

  • Preliminary November data show 54.5% of long-distance trains arrived within Deutsche Bahn’s six-minute on-time threshold, excluding cancellations.
  • Passenger punctuality was 61.7% in November, the fourth-lowest since the metric launched in early 2024, which counts arrivals within 15 minutes and includes cancellations.
  • CEO Evelyn Palla says no medium-term relief is expected and is focused on stabilizing performance, with only a brief Christmas improvement foreseen as works pause and extra trains run.
  • Immediate programs will prioritize cleaner trains and toilets, reliable onboard bistro service, and other visible comfort improvements.
  • Station security will be reinforced at 18 major hubs with new “quadro” patrols pairing two DB security staff with two police officers.