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Frankfurt S‑Bahn Disrupted by Faulty Switch as Germany Nears Dec. 14 Rail Timetable Change

Overnight repairs are scheduled to fix the defective turnout, with normal operations expected on Wednesday.

Overview

  • The defect near Galluswarte/Messe halted or curtailed multiple lines: S3 was canceled with replacement buses, S4 was rerouted without stops at Westbahnhof, Messe and Galluswarte, S5 ran every 30 minutes, and S6 from Darmstadt terminated at Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof.
  • Separate faults cut S8 short between Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof, the airport and Kelsterbach, and reduced S1 service between Ober‑Roden and Frankfurt‑Griesheim to a 30‑minute interval.
  • A Bahn spokesperson said the switch failed on Monday, a custom part must be fabricated, disruptions will last through Tuesday, and the affected corridors carry tens of thousands of riders daily.
  • The Dec. 14 timetable brings more BerlinMunich ICEs (16 per direction daily) with no DB long‑distance fare hike, while the Deutschlandticket increases to 63 euros in January.
  • New or adjusted services include daily LeipzigWrocław/Kraków Eurocity trains, a once‑daily Halle–Paris direct, Munich Stammstrecke S‑Bahn tweaks by DB InfraGo, select RE 9 trips skipping Freihalden and Mindelaltheim, and extensive Allgäu works in 2026 that shorten routes to Munich‑Pasing and lengthen journeys.