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Officials Say HamburgBerlin Bus Replacement Is Running Smoothly as Rail Overhaul Nears Final Phase

Regular trains are slated to return on May 1 after construction runs through April.

Overview

  • At a mid-January review in Schwerin, Ecovista reported high punctuality and a settled routine on the replacement bus network.
  • Ecovista says it is carrying about 30,000 passengers daily with more than 200 buses on the corridor.
  • Passenger groups say long travel times and extra transfers have driven many travelers to switch to cars, leaving some buses sparsely used.
  • Safety measures remain in place, including an 80 km/h cap for articulated buses and mandatory alcohol tests for drivers introduced after two 2025 crashes.
  • Prosecutors in Lübeck closed an accident probe, citing a recorded 98 km/h speed and road conditions, and noting the crash might also have occurred at 80 km/h.