Traffic traffic around Magdeburg has a significant impact: replacement buses in use!

Traffic traffic around Magdeburg has a significant impact: replacement buses in use!

Magdeburg, Deutschland - since May 30, 2025, travelers in Saxony-Anhalt have been on the hat: The railway has experienced massive disabilities through extensive construction work on the railway node Magdeburg. These modernization measures affect both the local and long-distance transport and should be very patient in the region between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. [MDR] reports that the construction work will continue until July 5, 2025 and focus on the installation of new overhead lines.

Why all of this? The goal of this work is to set up masts for overhead lines and the renewal of chain plants at the southern end of the Magdeburg main station. However, these measures are only the first step in a larger plan: the end of the modernizations in the south section is planned for the end of 2027, while from 2028 work in the northern part of the node should begin. [Deutsche Bahn] explains that the disabilities during this time will not only be felt in Magdeburg.

affected railway lines and diversions

for travelers and Magdeburg it becomes complicated by the construction work. The line S1 between Schönebeck and Wittenberge is now being replaced by buses that run from the central bus station in Magdeburg. The RE 30 line between Halle and Magdeburg is also directed on an alternative route, with the stop in Magdeburg-Buckau. [MDR] further emphasizes that the trains between Magdeburg and Leipzig also have to drive over a detour route, which is accompanied by defaults.

The changes are particularly remarkable in long -distance transport. The IC lines 55, 56 and 57 are affected: hold in Köthen, Halle (Saale) Central Station and at Leipzig/Halle Airport, while additional holds are set up in Bitterfeld and Dessau. In addition, some trains will have an extended travel time of about 25 minutes. Such changes are a real test of patience for all travelers!

What does that mean for passengers?

Travelers are recommended to inform themselves about the current timetables and any delays using digital travel information media before starting their journey. [Deutsche Bahn] also indicates that the replacement buses on the ZOB are available at the climbing 5 and 6 at Magdeburg Central Station. In view of the extensive changes and the associated chaos, flexibility is required.

But not only in Magdeburg it is time to show detours and patience. In the Greater Cologne area too, travelers have struggled with impairments on the train route between Koblenz and Cologne in the past few days. Due to signal box work, 42 ​​new signals will be installed in the next four weeks and 200 kilometers of cable will be installed. The construction work here is also accompanied by failures at central train stations. [SWR] reports that affected trains are diverted to the right side of the Rhine, which extends the journey time by around ten minutes.

The next few months will be a challenge for rail customers in Saxony-Anhalt and the Cologne area. But with a little patience and the right planning, this time can also be survived.