Massive schedule changes, failed trains, overcrowded wagons: the construction work that Deutsche Bahn (DB) is currently carrying out in the Oberland network is causing a lot of displeasure. Last week, those in charge of the Bavarian Oberlandbahn (BOB) had sharply criticized DB Netz AG, which is responsible for the track work. After a chaotic weekend, the BOB is now stepping up again.
In a message, the BOB accuses DB Netz AG of “serious planning errors” and “incorrect information”. This forces the BOB to let significantly fewer trains run, which leads to unscheduled transfers in Holzkirchen and thus to considerable delays. Last weekend, the BOB even advised day trippers not to travel to the Oberland. “We can only apologize to all travelers for the inconvenience caused by DB Netz”, Managing Director Fabian Amini is quoted in the message, “but with only one continuous track in Holzkirchen, orderly operation and therefore no reliable passenger information is no longer possible.”
In addition to those responsible for the BOB, the Pro Bahn passenger association has now also commented on the traffic chaos in the Oberland – with clear words. “We are experiencing another sad climax in a year-long downward spiral in the quality of operational management by DB Netz AG,” said District Chairman Norbert Moy. Apparently, the management has completely lost the connection to the end customer and is acting “in the manner of the landlord at the expense of the railway customers and the general public”, Moy continued. “What passengers and transport companies have to experience now borders on sabotage.” According to the passenger association, the example in the Oberland shows that the railway infrastructure in Germany must also be managed publicly as part of public services. It is “completely incomprehensible” that the Bavarian Railway Company, as the authority responsible for the Free State, finances the rail network for the most part with the train path charges, but has no control over DB Netz AG in the event of inadequate operations.
What does the railway say about all these allegations? At the request of SZ, DB refers you to a current press release. In it, the group apologizes to the BOB and the passengers. The DB regrets that the construction work in the Oberland has recently led to massive restrictions. “Unfortunately, the DB recently failed to live up to its own standards,” it continues. This applies to both the construction work and the information about the effects on the BOB. Nevertheless, the group emphasizes in the announcement, on the way to a successful mobility turnaround there is no avoiding the further renewal and expansion of the rail infrastructure and bundling the construction measures in the best possible way. In general, the clear requirement of the railway during construction work is that passengers should feel the effects as little as possible.
The construction work in the Oberland is expected to last until November 5th. During the construction phase, the departure and arrival of the BOB is not Munich Central Station as usual, but rather the Ostbahnhof for many connections. The Donnersbergerbrücke, Harras, Siemenswerke and Solln stops are no longer available. Between Holzkirchen and Schaftlach there is now only rail replacement traffic.