Overview

• Over 80% of surveyed passengers prioritize reliable train connections over increased service frequency, according to the May 2025 Bundesnetzagentur report.
• One-third of passengers reported dirty stations and trains, while over half expressed dissatisfaction with the availability and cleanliness of station toilets.
• Passengers found digital journey apps more effective for travel updates, with only 12% dissatisfied, compared to 30% dissatisfaction with station announcements and displays.
• Deutsche Bahn's infrastructure upgrades lag behind its expansion goals, with only 20 kilometers of new overhead lines installed last year and no replacement buses yet for the Hamburg–Berlin route.
• The findings underscore a widening gap between Deutsche Bahn's modernization efforts and passengers' immediate demands for improved service reliability and amenities.