Without consultation, the Deutsche Bahn, network division, set up a speed limit stop between Raisting and Weilheim last week, which causes considerable delays.
The Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB) is outraged, and Pro Bahn is also heavily criticized.
Now the Deutsche Bahn has responded.
Update from Friday, November 19:
District - That went quickly: After almost two years ago it took ten weeks for the slow speed zone between Raisting and Weilheim to be redeveloped, the similar case that became known last week only took a few days.
On Monday, when a DB spokeswoman asked for it, the removal of the slow-speed sections had not yet been scheduled, "since extensive long rail changes with blocking breaks are required and the appropriate material has to be procured", the work began on Thursday. Apparently, DB Netz, which is responsible for the infrastructure, was actually able to move other construction sites in Bavaria in order to quickly provide the necessary personnel and material capacities for the repair of the line.
As announced by the Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB), which runs on the route between Augsburg-Weilheim-Schongau, the work will result in replacement rail traffic between Dießen and Weilheim.
The buses depart later than in the regular timetable.
The BRB trains between Weilheim and Schongau and between Dießen and Augsburg-Oberhausen depart later and arrive later.
The Weilheim, Raisting and Dießen stops are canceled on two connections, and buses are also used between Weilheim and Schongau in peripheral locations.
Actually, the work should be finished on Saturday, but was extended to Tuesday, as reported on Friday.
Information on the timetable at www.brb.de.
First report from November 14th:
District
- Imagine you want to drive your car out of the garage, but you can't get very far because a construction site has been set up on the street in front of it - without telling you. This is exactly how the Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) currently feels, which is on the Schongau-Weilheim-Augsburg railway line. For train drivers between Weilheim and Raisting, it is a déjà vu: Already in August 2019 there had been delays for weeks due to a similar problem. BRB managing director Arnulf Schuchmann, who had recently been annoyed by DB Netz's “absolutely chaotic construction site management” in the Holzkirchen area, has therefore addressed the public with a fire letter.Because, like in 2019, a measuring train between Raisting and Weilheim found a track position error in an intolerable area last Tuesday. "Since then there has been a state of emergency," said Schuchmann.
Two years ago only small parts were patched
Because in 2019 only the most essential rails were replaced in the same area, also after a test train ride.
Now the same thing happened a few hundred meters further.
“Nothing has been invested in the infrastructure for decades, so you shouldn't be surprised.
Instead of fixing the problem in one piece, only small parts are patched.
But we and our passengers have to pay for the chaos on site, ”rumbles Schuchmann.
Since Tuesday, there have been three slow-speed sections over a two-kilometer stretch, in which the railcar drivers are only allowed to drive 20 km / h instead of 120.
On the first two days, the restrictions had to be communicated by radio for each train and written down by hand, then appropriate signals were set up.
Nobody at the BRB knows how long the speed restrictions will apply.
Elimination of deficiencies, long-term modernization of the infrastructure?
Also no information.
"Unfortunately, with this ailing infrastructure, it is not always possible for us to offer our passengers a reliable timetable," says Schuchmann.
Connections are likely to be missed often
According to BRB spokeswoman Annette Luckner, because several minutes are lost on the single-track route due to the speed limits and encounter sections are few and far between, some connections are certainly not reached in Weilheim, for example, but more details cannot be said yet.
The bad news has already arrived at Weilheim's Norbert Moy from the Pro Bahn passenger association.
"Instead of a speed of 120, only 20 km / h is of course huge," he says.
You have been observing the problems with the infrastructure for years: “Something has to change.
It's all about saving costs.
Such a case is a great step forward for the separation of network and operation, which is currently being discussed again. ”The connections must be maintained - passengers affected should register for this two years ago.
And the repair took almost three months - not a good omen.