“Switzerland is our role model”: German Transport Minister jealous of the SBB’s punctuality

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If she comes at all, it’s too late. Deutsche Bahn has big problems. SBB must have had special trains ready for years to replace delayed ICE trains on the Basel-Zurich route. Those who roll from Zurich to Germany often have to change trains in Basel. Travel stress instead of train pleasure.

Deutsche Bahn is also known in Switzerland for the many delays and train cancellations. But as soon as this also hits the Swiss network, the fun ends. To minimize transfer delays from Germany to Switzerland, SBB is increasingly deploying its own trains from the border in Basel. That is about to change – with the help of Switzerland. The Germans now want to follow our example and make plans as Switzerland has been doing for twenty years.

“The network is right, but Deutsche Bahn’s performance is not. While long-distance traffic always has priority with us, even if it has the most delays, Switzerland has a very well-coordinated system,” said Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management Winfried Hermann (71) to the “Südkurier”.

“If Switzerland keeps getting better, we can’t keep up”

The fact that the trains in Switzerland are so punctual and reliable also has its price. “The Swiss spend roughly four times as much per person and kilometer. The Swiss railways are accordingly correct: efficient, reliable, clean.” Means: Deutsche Bahn needs more money. “Switzerland has set a certain pace and expanded where connections were too slow. That should now also come here with the German clock.”

The will is there, but it is impossible to get Deutsche Bahn into shape just like that. It takes time. A lot of time. Hermann: “It will be another twenty years before the Deutschlandtakt is operational, because nothing has been invested in the infrastructure for far too long. If Switzerland keeps getting better, we can’t keep up.” (gs)

Source: Blick