DB cancelled nearly 1 in 12 long-distance trains in 2026

Figures from the German Ministry of Transport show that Deutsche Bahn cancelled nearly one in 12 long-distance trains scheduled to run in early 2026.

New DB punctuality figures released

In 2026 so far, 8 percent of Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance trains have been cancelled for part of their scheduled route or entirely cancelled, according to figures from the Ministry of Transport and reported by the dpa.

The first half of 2024, when trains were regularly disrupted and cancelled due to industrial action, is the only period during which Deutsche Bahn cancelled more long-distance trains (12 percent). The latest figures also show that Deutsche Bahn cancellations are up 3 percentage points compared to the same period last year. 

Appointed as Deutsche Bahn CEO in October 2025, Evelyn Palla has vowed to improve the rail company’s services and punctuality rates. According to Deutsche Bahn’s 2026 mid-year report, 58,7 percent of long-distance trains and 88,2 percent of regional trains have been punctual this year so far.

Speaking to the dpa in May, head of DB Regio Harmen van Zijderveld said passengers are likely to notice punctuality improvements in the second half of the year, as more track refurbishment projects wrap up.

Deutsche Bahn needs more money, say Greens

The latest Ministry of Transport figures were published following a request from the Greens. In response, Matthias Gastel (Greens) has called on the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition to “not stand idly by and watch the number of cancelled trains increase”, but to invest more in Deutsche Bahn.

In the early 1990s, around 85 percent of Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance trains ran on time, meaning they arrived no more than six minutes after the scheduled arrival time. 

In 1994, West Germany’s state-owned Deutsche Bundesbahn and East Germany's Deutsche Reichsbahn were merged to form the Deutsche Bahn Corporation (AG). Punctuality fluctuated during the 2000s and began to decline significantly in the 2010s.

According to Deutsche Bahn’s 30 Years of the Rail Reform report, public funding declined most drastically in the first 10 years after privatisation. 

“In the following years, from around 2005, there was initially a slight increase in federal support, followed by a renewed decline until 2014. By that time, the funding had roughly halved from its 1994 level,” the report explains.

Bear in mind that in 1994, Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance and regional trains served 1,507 million passengers, compared to the 2,498 million passengers who used the services in 2025.

According to Palla, Deutsche Bahn would need around 150 billion euros in additional state funding and around 10 years to bring service standards back up to scratch.