Frankfurt's Public Transit Lags Behind Hamburg and Berlin in Punctuality

An ADAC study reveals significant punctuality issues in Frankfurt's S- and U-Bahn systems compared to other major German cities.

An ADAC analysis of real-time data found that Frankfurt's S-Bahns are the least punctual among Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt, with only 33% arriving on time under a strict definition of punctuality.
Hamburg's transit system performed the best, with 97% of S-Bahns and 99% of U-Bahns meeting the six-minute punctuality threshold during the study period.
The Deutsche Bahn attributes delays in Frankfurt to outdated infrastructure, limited rail capacity, and staffing shortages in key operational areas like signal towers.
The ADAC criticized the six-minute punctuality standard used by transit operators, arguing it does not reflect the real impact of delays on commuters' connections and schedules.
Factors like shared tracks between local, long-distance, and freight trains in Frankfurt contribute to its lower punctuality, while dedicated U-Bahn networks in other cities ensure greater reliability.