Rows of failures: Brand-new Siemens trains from Go-Ahead are apparently not suitable for winter
Created: 12/21/2022 10:21 am
By: Dirk Walter
In view of the continuing massive problems at the Go-Ahead railway company in Swabia, the Bavarian Minister of Transport is now pushing for a quick improvement in the situation in the interests of passengers.
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
There are still massive problems with the new Go-Ahead trains on the Munich-Augsburg railway line.
Now there is criticism from politicians.
Munich/Augsburg – In view of the further massive problems at the railway company Go-Ahead, Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter (CSU) is now intervening from his sickbed.
The minister is recovering from a knee operation, but the chaos on the busy Munich-Augsburg route calls for a word from the minister: "It is simply unacceptable that brand-new rail vehicles are not suitable for winter and are stranded on the open track when the temperature is below zero," explained Bernreiter .
At Go-Ahead, trains are canceled in rows – this is now also annoying the Minister of Transport
The chaos at Go-Ahead had already begun immediately after the timetable change on December 11th.
On this day, the British train operator took over the routes of the former Fugger Express from Deutsche Bahn.
Go-Ahead brought its own trains, brand new, 56 pieces, developed by Siemens Mobility.
But they went on strike.
One problem is the pantographs, which have not docked to the overhead line given the icy temperatures of the past few days.
Due to other defects, only about half of the 56 Go-Ahead vehicles are currently operational, the Ministry of Transport reported yesterday.
The result: many connections fail, often only one vehicle (instead of three) is on the route during rush hour.
Go-Ahead even offered passengers to switch to the ICE - the additional costs will be covered.
In addition, passengers boarding in Mering should take a detour via Geltendorf on their way to Munich.
Criticism of Go-Ahead continues - passengers receive unreliable information
The SPD also accuses Go-Ahead of having poorly prepared.
"It should actually be known that winter will come at some point," says MP Inge Aures.
Unfortunately, there have been technical problems with new vehicles everywhere in Germany in recent years, says Bernreiter.
He suspects a "structural problem".
He describes the passenger information provided by Go-Ahead as “completely unacceptable”.
“Passengers received no reliable information either on the trains or on the digital information channels.”
The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), which reports to Bernreiter, is conducting crisis talks.
Penalties are threatened with go-ahead.
The company has said that the entire fleet of vehicles should not be operational again until January 2nd.
(dw)
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