Fire alarms, medical emergencies or people on the tracks – incidents of all kinds frequently disrupt Munich’s S-Bahn network, especially on the Stammstrecke, the main corridor between Pasing and Ostbahnhof. Until now, trains facing such disruptions have had very limited flexibility: they could only reverse direction at Isartor station.
That rule will soon change. Heiko Büttner, CEO of S-Bahn Munich, announced that the railway company will introduce a turnaround option at Munich Hauptbahnhof’s underground station starting with the next timetable change. “We plan to allow at least one line, possibly the S4, to operate in a pendulum mode at first,” Büttner explained during a presentation at Munich City Hall. Over time, this measure could be expanded to additional stations along the Stammstrecke.
Why this change matters
The Stammstrecke is the busiest and most congested section of the network — any minor incident there can quickly cascade into large-scale delays. Allowing trains to reverse at multiple points would make it possible to isolate problems, continue limited service, and avoid a total shutdown of the line.
Büttner emphasized that the new measure is only an interim solution while long-term expansion projects progress. The goal is greater operational resilience without major infrastructure overhauls.
Expansion delays across the network
Despite growing passenger numbers, Munich’s rail infrastructure remains under pressure. According to Büttner, planning for the four-track expansion between Pasing and Fürstenfeldbruck will not be completed before 2028, and construction start dates are still uncertain.
Other long-term projects, such as the new regional stop at Poccistraße and the long-awaited ring connection between Erding and the airport, are expected only in the early-to-mid 2030s. Likewise, a planned pendulum service on the northern ring, with stops near BMW FIZ and the Euro-Industriepark, is still years away.
The bigger picture
Munich’s S-Bahn remains essential but fragile. The current “turnaround plan” is a short-term tactical improvement, not a substitute for deeper investment. The much-debated second Stammstrecke tunnel, now under construction, will eventually provide the redundancy needed for a more reliable network. Until then, local commuters must continue to rely on incremental upgrades — like this new reversal concept — to keep Munich moving.
