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Commuter drama: Hamburg-Berlin railway line causes chaos and traffic jams!
Rostock is suffering from rail problems: transfers are unattractive, commuters are demanding direct connections while the Hamburg-Berlin route is being renovated.
Commuter drama: Hamburg-Berlin railway line causes chaos and traffic jams!
The railway line between Hamburg and Berlin has been under renovation since August 2025, and the construction site is making life difficult for many commuters. How NDR reported, the renovation will last until the end of April 2026. During this time, many commuters switched to cars, which led to a significant decline in rail passengers. There was a 56 percent decline in train passengers between Hamburg and Schwerin, while at the same time 12 percent more people used cars.
The connecting connections that lead from Rostock to Hamburg via Bad Kleinen and Lübeck are considered extremely unattractive. Media reports of overcrowded trains and increasing delays, which further exacerbated the situation in the summer of 2025. A possible ray of hope: The Pro Bahn passenger association and the Greens are calling for more trains and direct connections, especially during the closure period. The proposal for a direct connection between Rostock and Hamburg could be crucial here.
Direct connections required
Currently there are only IC trains offering a direct connection, encouraging commuters to choose alternative travel methods during the renovation. From August 1, 2025, the entire route will be closed for nine months, which could further worsen the crisis. Of particular concern are the reports that important connections for commuters could potentially be lost after the renovation in 2026.
The diversion of long-distance traffic between Hamburg and Berlin via Stendal and Uelzen means that the trains take 45 minutes longer. In addition, ICE and IC trains only run once an hour instead of every 30 minutes, and many regional connections are canceled completely or are limited to partial routes. This represents a significant burden for everyone who relies on the train every day.
The financial aspects of the renovation
The total costs of the renovation amount to no less than 2.2 billion euros. The high expenditure is often on everyone's lips when it comes to the region's future transport connections. The challenges that affect both commuters and travelers will not only dominate the local press, but also trigger conversations and discussions in politics and business in order to find a viable solution.
The city of New York also has an important election on November 4, 2025, in which Democrat Zohran Mamdani has a stable lead. How Fox5 reports, current polls show Mamdani with up to 50 percent support, while Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa trail him. All of these developments raise the question: How is rail transport in Germany viewed in comparison, especially when you see the challenges and commuting problems?
The reporting is rounded off by technical innovations that could be of interest to many working people, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot mobile app recently released. This app could be helpful for Microsoft 365 subscription users, and perhaps such digital tools can provide support in a time of uncertainty.