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Track damage due to embankment fire: massive traffic disruptions for travelers!
Disruptions in Deutsche Bahn's long-distance transport: embankment fire in Bernau causes train cancellations between Berlin and Binz.
Track damage due to embankment fire: massive traffic disruptions for travelers!
What's going on on the tracks? A signal box malfunction has been causing significant problems in Deutsche Bahn's long-distance traffic since Monday, especially on the busy route between Berlin and the Baltic Sea resort of Binz. The disruption was triggered by a fire on the embankment near the track in Bernau near Berlin, which led to extensive chaos in train operations. Süddeutsche Zeitung reports that the effects could last until Tuesday, while Deutsche Bahn is already working intensively on repairs.
The diversions affect numerous ICE trains. For example, the connection from Berlin via Eberswalde, Pasewalk and Greifswald to the Baltic Sea resort of Binz will be changed, and various stops will be eliminated. This means that passengers in Bernau, Eberswalde, Angermünde, Prenzlau, Pasewalk, Anklam, Züssow and Greifswald are faced with empty tracks, while an alternative stop in Neustrelitz is offered to defuse the situation a little. Tagesspiegel also describes the situation and highlights that two regional trains are also affected by the disruptions: the RB24 between Berlin-Lichtenberg and Bernau and the RE3 between Berlin Central Station and Bernau.
A look at the train cancellations
The current events highlight a larger problem in the German rail network. In the last five years, train cancellations in long-distance transport have quadrupled. According to reports from Tagesschau, the proportion of canceled trips rose from 1% in 2019 to 4% in 2024. These worrying figures are primarily due to the dilapidated infrastructure, which, according to transport politicians, urgently needs to be renovated. Matthias Gastel, a member of the Green Party, is therefore calling for binding investments in the rail infrastructure.
The constant train cancellations not only cause frustration for travelers, but also point to a deeper problem. Many of the disruptions are linked to inadequate maintenance and provision of vehicles. Last year, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) reported over 13,600 canceled trips, with over 60% of the cancellations being due to external causes such as labor disputes. Almost half of the failures in January 2024 were caused in connection with a collective bargaining dispute with the German Locomotive Drivers' Union (GDL).
In summary, it can be said that the situation on the tracks is a test of patience for travelers. While Deutsche Bahn is working on a quick solution, it remains to be hoped that the situation will improve soon and the trains can run reliably again.