Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced on Sunday that it had disbursed nearly €197 million ($214 million) in compensation to customers due to delays and cancellations. In 2024, over a third of its long-distance trains were deemed not punctual, with a train considered late if it arrived more than 5 minutes and 59 seconds past its scheduled time. This marks the worst punctuality performance in at least 21 years, leading to significant compensation payouts. A DB spokesperson acknowledged the company’s responsibility, stating that it pays compensation without dispute for delays and that extended delays result in higher payouts.

Approximately 6.9 million claims were lodged in 2023, up from 5.6 million in the previous year, with DB settling these claims with €132.8 million in payouts. Germany’s rail network has been a source of mounting frustration for travelers, who have faced issues with overcrowded trains, delays, and service cancellations in recent years. DB has set an ambition to improve punctuality of its long-distance express services to between 75% to 80% by the end of 2027.

The company attributes 80% of the delays to outdated and overburdened infrastructure, exacerbated by increased traffic in critical transport junctions. DB is planning extensive renovations along 41 high-traffic routes by 2030 to address these issues. Additionally, a “tight labor market” has been cited as a factor contributing to the delays, making it challenging for DB to fulfill its personnel needs.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/deutsche-bahn-pays-%E2%82%AC197m-in-compensation-for-delays-in-2024/a-71872282?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf