Frankfurt-Mannheim Riedbahn reopens after five-month upgrade
The Riedbahn line between Frankfurt and Mannheim has reopened after a five-month closure for major renovation. Passengers will see a phased return of services starting December 15, though not all routes will resume immediately. From December 15, around 95% of regular passengers will regain access to long-distance and regional trains on the Riedbahn. However, freight services will initially operate only at night, with a gradual increase until December 23.
Regional lines RB 62 and RB 63 will remain suspended until December 24, with replacement buses covering their routes. S-Bahn services S8 and S9 will take longer to return, resuming only on January 13, 2025. The reopening follows extensive modernisation work on key corridors, including Hamburg-Berlin, Hagen-Wuppertal-Cologne, and Nuremberg-Regensburg, which began in 2026. Full timetable operations across all affected lines will not be restored until January 13.
The phased return of services means passengers and freight operators will experience temporary limitations. By mid-January, all trains on the Riedbahn and connected routes will run according to the standard schedule. The upgrades aim to improve long-term reliability on the network.
