Bahn chaos in Saxony: complete locking between Leipzig and Dresden!

Bahn chaos in Saxony: complete locking between Leipzig and Dresden!

The railway line between Oschatz and Wurzen has been completely closed since the evening of June 23, 2025. Extensive construction work will be carried out there by June 29 at 5 p.m., which include the course renovations. The aim of these measures is to make rail traffic more reliable in the long run, such as the Saxon reported.

The construction site has a significant impact on long-distance transport, especially on the popular ICE trains. Travelers between Wiesbaden and Dresden have to prepare for the trains only hold in Leipzig. The stops in Riesa, Dresden-Neustadt and at the Dresden Central Station, which means an unpleasant change for many commuters. Replacement buses are used between Leipzig and Dresden to fill the gaps, but they cannot fully compensate for the inconvenience.

travel time extensions and diversions

Some trains are diverted, which results in travel time extensions of up to 90 minutes. From June 27, additional diversions for the ICE trains between Erfurt and Leipzig can be expected, which can also be on the road for up to 60 minutes longer. The IC trains between Hanover and Dresden are also affected; You now last every two hours in Elsterwerda, which takes a total of 30 to 60 minutes longer, as well as the MDR reports.

There are also important changes in local transport that should not go unmentioned. Trains of the S3 line are no longer available between Borsdorf, Wurzen and Oschatz, and the regional express line RE50 is also set between Wurzen and Oschatz. Here a rail replacement traffic is organized by bus, but the passengers must also expect a longer journey time here. The Saxonia Express now takes about 30 minutes longer than usual.

alternatives to the train

criticism and outlook

The Pro Bahn passenger association is critical of the replacement concept, which is perceived as inadequate. Especially for the often overcrowded RE50, there are demands for direct buses with long -distance transport and better information for passengers. According to Pro Bahn, only five articulated buses are available as a replacement, which does not meet the requirements of the passengers. In addition, it is complained that the region around Dresden apparently has no priority for Deutsche Bahn, according to the Pro-Bahn speaker Michael Koch.

The construction work is part of extensive infrastructure measures, for which Deutsche Bahn invested a total of 10.7 billion euros in 2022. Of these, 2.5 billion euros flowed into maintenance in order to offer rail customers a reliable service in the long run. Despite these financial efforts, there are continuously challenges, such as material bottlenecks and the associated delays, as in a previous report by the Deutsche Bahn In summary, it can be said that the coming days for commuters and travelers in Saxony and beyond are associated with many challenges. It remains to be hoped that the necessary construction work will be carried out quickly and efficiently in order to ensure rail operations again soon.