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District administrators are calling for better rail connections for Wittenberge after criticism
District administrators from Ostprignitz-Ruppin are calling for better rail connections in Wittenberge to make commuter travel easier.
District administrators are calling for better rail connections for Wittenberge after criticism
In Wittenberge, the deletion of important ICE stops in the new timetable is causing a lot of excitement. Mayor Oliver Hermann has sharply criticized the decision and is receiving support from regional politics: District administrators Ralf Reinhardt and Christian Müller from Ostprignitz-Ruppin and Prignitz are now questioning Deutsche Bahn's stopping policy. They have written a letter to company representative Alexander Kaczmarek and urgently demand better long-distance transport connections at the Wittenberge interchange. The pressure is increasing, and residents are making it clear that a reliable connection between Hamburg and Berlin is important to them.
Hermann is particularly dissatisfied with the fact that an important stop at 4:51 p.m. in Hamburg is no longer planned for Wittenberge. The current stopping policy leads to long transfer times of more than 30 minutes, which makes commuter travel intolerable for many. “The holding policy does not meet the needs of our region,” said Hermann. Only a planned stop of the RJ 179 at 6.35 p.m. is seen as a positive signal by the district administrators, but that is not enough. They insist that the long-distance transport stops must be integrated into the Wittenberge hub in order to enable real *business* for commuters.
Reaction from Deutsche Bahn
Deutsche Bahn has already responded to the criticism. In the 2026 regular timetable, an additional long-distance train from Hamburg to Wittenberge is planned, which departs at 5:33 p.m. and arrives in Wittenberge around 6:35 p.m. Hermann is grateful for this decision and describes it as an important signal for Wittenberge. This additional connection could be particularly beneficial for commuters as it significantly improves connectivity in the early evening.
However, uncertainty remains great, because in the 2026 summer timetable only the train is scheduled to stop in Ludwigslust, which again raises questions. A spokesman for Deutsche Bahn suggested that there may be an oversight here and that errors in the processing of timetable data cannot be ruled out.
Infrastructure and Germany clock
In addition, major infrastructural measures are pending that could potentially integrate Wittenberge into better connections. The Berlin-Hamburg main line is currently being completely renovated by the end of April 2026. This extensive work includes the replacement of tracks and switches as well as the renewal of signal boxes. The train station in Wittenberge is being prepared for the “Germany clock” with a million euros. This includes the construction of a sixth track to be able to handle more trains at the same time, as well as an extension of the pedestrian tunnel.
The Deutschlandtakt itself aims to significantly improve passenger and freight transport in Germany. Rural regions should also be better connected through more frequent connections and optimized connections. The number of passengers in Germany is expected to double by 2030.
Finally, it remains to be hoped that the demands of the district administrators will be heard and the connections in Wittenberge will be improved quickly. Ultimately, a reliable and fast connection is essential for the region in order to offer commuters and travelers an attractive option in the long term.