Overview
- CEO Evelyn Palla informed the supervisory board and project partners that the planned partial launch in December 2026 will not happen, with a new reliable schedule expected around mid‑2026.
- The delay centers on the Digitaler Knoten rollout, where approval and certification of Hitachi-supplied ETCS and interlocking systems have not progressed as required.
- All long‑distance and regional trains are expected to continue using Stuttgart’s above‑ground Hauptbahnhof throughout 2027, leaving the new underground station idle longer.
- Regional leaders demanded a special steering committee meeting, as officials including Baden‑Württemberg transport minister Winfried Hermann and Cem Özdemir criticized the continued uncertainty and communication.
- Project costs have climbed to roughly €11–11.5 billion, and a recent court ruling requires Deutsche Bahn to shoulder the overruns alone.