Deutsche Bahn has reported a significant improvement in train punctuality following the renovation of the Riedbahn route between Frankfurt and Mannheim. The Regionalbahn RE70 and S-Bahn services have seen punctuality increase by 20 percentage points compared to the previous year, achieving an 80% on-time performance in February 2025. This remains below the national average of 90.9% but marks substantial progress.
Additionally, infrastructure-related disruptions on the Riedbahn have decreased by 27%. The company anticipates further enhancements with the full implementation of the European Train Control System (ETCS) by the second quarter, allowing speeds of up to 200 km/h on certain segments.
This project is part of Deutsche Bahn's broader initiative to renovate 41 high-traffic routes, with the Riedbahn as the first completed. The success of this project is a promising indicator for future renovations, including the upcoming full closure of the Hamburg-Berlin route from August 2025 to April 2026.
Furthermore, Deutsche Bahn is exploring options for an underground station in Frankfurt to improve long-distance travel efficiency, reflecting the company's commitment to enhancing rail infrastructure across Germany.
