Rail chaos in MV: Are there too few train attendants during the renovation?

Rail chaos in MV: Are there too few train attendants during the renovation?

The rail connection between Hamburg and Berlin, one of the most important direct routes in Germany, has been closed since August 1st due to extensive construction work. This general renovation is scheduled to last until April 30, 2026 and amounts to a total of 278 kilometers. Not only will the tracks and overhead lines be renovated, but also 28 train stations and stops will be modernized. Deutsche Bahn is investing around 2.2 billion euros in this important infrastructure project, which also serves to increase operational flexibility through additional transfer points. As part of this work, a comprehensive transport concept was developed to offer travelers reliable alternatives. According to Nordkurier, there are over 170 buses available that cover 86,000 kilometers every day and serve a total of 27 lines.

Traveler feedback on the temporary changes is mixed. Many people accept the longer journey times with composure, but there is clear criticism of Deutsche Bahn, especially in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This is where the shortage of train attendants comes into play. Although a railway spokesman emphasizes that the number of customer advisors at DB Regio Nordost is “balanced” overall, the company admits that additional staffing needs must be planned. There are currently 225 customer service representatives working in this region, but the possibility of equipping busier trains with two attendants is intended to improve service and safety.

Challenges of staff shortages

But the shortage of staff not only affects train attendants, but also penetrates deeply into the entire industry. The Frankfurter Rundschau reports that Deutsche Bahn needs around 10% more employees to meet all of the unions' current requirements. The staff shortage has already led to train delays, which have come under increasing scrutiny.

To combat workforce shortages, Deutsche Bahn has hired over 130,000 new employees in the last five years and is planning another significant increase in 2024. In addition, a special “Cross-Border Recruiting” department was set up to attract skilled workers from abroad. From 2019 to today, 450 international specialists have already been recruited, with language courses being offered for train drivers to acquire the necessary language skills.

For travelers, the current situation means that they have to take a detour when commuting between Hamburg and Berlin. It remains to be seen whether the railway will learn from these challenges and whether experience shows that the service will be improved with the billions of investments in the coming months. The Generalsanierung will play a key role in this, so everyone involved hopes that a better rail connection will be created after the construction site.