RE1 between Magdeburg and Berlin: Hourly trains from November!

RE1 between Magdeburg and Berlin: Hourly trains from November!

The restoration of the train connection between Magdeburg and Berlin is gaining momentum. From November 17, 2023, passengers will be able to use the RE 1 every hour again after the route was temporarily restricted following the devastating signal box fire in Gerwisch. Loud Rail.de There will be three passenger and freight trains per hour, which corresponds to around 80 percent of the traffic before the fire on September 23, 2023.

Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced that a ramp-up phase will begin today, November 6, 2023. Occasional trains will connect Magdeburg and Berlin while work on the technical infrastructure continues. The company has emphasized that it is working on creating the technical requirements for more frequent use of the section between Biederitz and Möser. Train traffic will be further optimized until the end of the week German railway reported.

Details of the train connection

Despite the positive developments, there are still restrictions on train traffic. The RB 40 between Braunschweig and Burg still ends in Biederitz, and a replacement rail service between Biederitz and Burg remains in place. In addition, the RE 1 will not serve all the usual stops, which increases travel time. Long-distance traffic will also continue to be rerouted, and passengers will have to expect replacement buses and diversions, which can make travel planning more difficult.

The signal box in Gerwisch, which burned down on September 23rd, is to be replaced by a new electronic signal box. The DB estimates that construction will take up to 12 months. Until it is fully operational, travelers will have to adapt to the current situation and be patient. A new transport concept for the timetable change on December 14th is already being initiated, with a planned change to two-hourly journeys for the RE 1.

Long-term improvements in sight

If you look beyond current events, you can see the ongoing challenge that exists in the German rail network. Loud Statista The investment backlog in rail transport is significant. Climate change has increased the importance of environmentally friendly means of transport such as trains. The federal government is trying to promote rail infrastructure by adopting measures such as a reduction in VAT on long-distance rail transport and increased investments in rail transport.

Passengers and commuters can therefore hope for improvements that go beyond the current timetable change. However, the first progress can be expected from November 17th, when trains will increasingly run between Magdeburg and Berlin again.