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Deutsche Bahn Scales Back Holiday Track Works, Puts All Trains Into Service

DB’s new chief warns punctuality will stay poor next year with improvements only expected in 2027.

Overview

  • Evelyn Palla said construction activity will be reduced around Christmas and every available train will run to ease pressure on the network.
  • The company expects more than five million holiday trips, with ticket sales running six percent above last year.
  • Long‑distance punctuality fell to a record low of 51.5 percent in October, and DB forecasts the 2025 annual figure will remain below 60 percent.
  • Maintenance sites are set to rise from roughly 26,000 to about 28,000 in 2026, reflecting a backlog on an aging network.
  • DB counts a train as on time if it arrives under six minutes late, and cancellations are not included in the punctuality statistic, according to reporting.