Trains are meant to help Germany cut transport emissions, but their operation is unreliable

While emissions in the power sector are being reduced, not only in Germany, through the development of low-carbon sources, other sectors are lagging behind. The transport sector is a particular challenge when it comes to rapid and effective decarbonisation. One way to reduce transport emissions is to make greater use of electrified railways. But their reliability is a concern: in neighbouring Germany, for example, a significant share of trains run late. In June, the situation on the country’s railways was even worse, as services were disrupted by widespread flooding.

Rail transport is often seen as a simple and effective way to decarbonise transport, but its development is not straightforward. As with other linear or large-scale infrastructure projects, efforts to expand railways can meet with opposition from local residents. Existing infrastructure is ageing and, in some cases, is already operating at the limits of its capacity.

According to Clean Energy Wire, Germany’s ageing and overcrowded rail network is one reason why one in three long-distance trains in the country was delayed in 2023, arriving at its station more than six minutes late.

The situation on Germany’s railways was significantly worse this June. According to the country’s rail operator Deutsche Bahn, only 55% of all long-distance trains arrived on time last month. The main cause was extreme weather in the form of heavy rain.

"Extreme weather conditions in the first half of June dealt a major blow to our reliability. External factors such as landslides, flooding and damage to dams affected an average of more than 400 long-distance trains per day," the operator said, according to the news site.

According to a spokesperson for the operator, flood-related damage cost the company 15 percentage points in terms of punctuality. Southern Germany was hit by very heavy rain at the beginning of June, causing widespread flooding. Some regions of the federal states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg even recorded record rainfall.

Measures to improve quality are not enough

Rail transport is intended to help Germany decarbonise its transport sector. By 2030, the country plans to double the number of passengers carried compared with the figures for the pre-pandemic year of 2019, according to the news site. The declining reliability of Germany’s railways could therefore undermine passenger confidence. A recent report by the Monopolies Commission, meanwhile, found that the planned measures to improve rail service quality are insufficient.

"Management measures should be much more focused on the needs of rail customers than they have been so far," the report says, according to Clean Energy Wire.