Germany’s trains hit 75% punctuality in 2025—can they keep improving?
German long-distance trains demonstrated notable improvement in punctuality by the end of 2025. The rate climbed to 75%, a significant increase from the previous year's figures. Transport officials and industry experts have acknowledged the progress but emphasize that more work is needed.
In 2024, Deutsche Bahn struggled with punctuality, recording rates below 70%. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder had previously deemed a 60% punctuality rate unsatisfactory, advocating for urgent reforms. By December 2025, however, the figure reached 75%, indicating a clear turnaround.
Extensive renovation work on busy routes played a pivotal role in the improvement. Deutsche Bahn also plans to modernize much of its infrastructure by 2030. CEO Richard Lutz anticipates punctuality to stabilize between 75-80% by 2027, provided current efforts continue. Transport expert Matthias Gastel underscores the necessity for more staff to alleviate system strain. Meanwhile, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) achieved a 93.2% punctuality rate in 2024, far surpassing any German operator. Regional networks in Germany, such as the Gotteszell/Viechtach line in Bavaria, reached up to 96.5% punctuality, though national figures remained lower.
The 75% punctuality rate signifies a step forward for Deutsche Bahn. Further upgrades and staffing increases will determine whether the gains persist. For now, the focus is on sustaining progress while narrowing the gap with leading European rail networks.
