Germany’s federal government has revised its expectations for Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance services. Instead of rapid improvements, the new rail strategy sets more modest punctuality goals.
By the end of 2029, at least 70 percent of ICE and IC trains should arrive on time—significantly less ambitious than the railway’s own earlier commitments.
Lower targets from the ministry
Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU) presented the new strategy, stressing that earlier expectations were “far from realistic.”
While the Deutsche Bahn itself had aimed to reach the 70 percent mark as early as 2026, the ministry now sets this goal three years later.
Long-term, punctuality should rise to 80 percent and eventually 90 percent, but only once the rail infrastructure has been comprehensively renewed.
Current situation: Poor performance
The figures underline why expectations had to be adjusted. In the first half of 2025, more than a third of Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance trains arrived late.
According to company definitions, a train counts as “on time” if it reaches its destination with a delay of less than six minutes. Cancellations are not included in the statistics.
Passenger associations have long criticized these metrics, arguing that the official numbers do not reflect the full extent of disruption.
The role of infrastructure
The main reason for delays lies in Germany’s aging and overstretched rail network.
The government’s strategy acknowledges that without large-scale modernization, ambitious punctuality goals cannot be met.
A comprehensive rehabilitation program is underway, targeting more than 40 of the busiest corridors for renewal by 2036. The aim is to improve reliability and restore trust in the rail system.
No reduction in service planned
Despite the lower punctuality targets, Schnieder emphasized that cutting services is not an option.
Instead, passengers should expect better information, improved communication during delays, and investments designed to make rail travel more reliable in the long run.
For the government, “noticeable reliability” has become the guiding principle of rail reform.
