Deutsche Bahn to digitise Bavaria's Riesbahn line by 2027 with ETCS tech
Deutsche Bahn is set to modernise Bavaria's Riesbahn line with new digital technology. The upgrade will include digital signal boxes and the European Train Control System (ETCS). Work is scheduled to begin in 2027 as part of a wider push to improve Germany's rail network.
The Riesbahn project forms part of a broader ā¬6.3 billion framework agreement for rail modernisation. Hitachi Rail has been chosen to plan and carry out the upgrades. Construction will start in 2027, focusing first on the section between Donauwƶrth and Nƶrdlingen, followed by the stretch to Augsburg.
The modernised line will also act as a diversionary route during the planned renovation of the Augsburg-Ulm corridor. This upgrade aims to boost operational reliability, cut disruptions, and make maintenance simpler. Germany has so far digitised only about 2 percent of its rail network, with recent installations in Baden-WĆ¼rttemberg and along the Rastatt-Karlsruhe route.
To meet its 20-year target for nationwide digitalisation, the country must equip between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres of track annually. No single region has yet been highlighted as a standout example in the rollout of ETCS.
The Riesbahn modernisation will introduce digital signalling and ETCS to improve efficiency. Once complete, the line will support smoother operations and serve as a key alternative during major renovations. The project reflects Deutsche Bahn's ongoing efforts to upgrade infrastructure across Germany.
