Pro Gäubahn: stop at the Pfaffenstieg tunnel or lose the train connection!

Pro Gäubahn: stop at the Pfaffenstieg tunnel or lose the train connection!

The discussion about the Pfaffenstieg Tunnel and the Gäubahn in Horb is gaining momentum. The Pro Gäubahn alliance is currently calling for a stop to tunnel construction. The alliance's spokesman, Andreas Frankenhäuser, warns that the construction sites could lead to a closure between Böblingen and Stuttgart-Rohr for several months. This would have serious consequences for passengers and the international rail connection Stuttgart-Zurich-Milan. As schwarzwaelder-bote.de reports, there is even speculation about the Gäubahn being cut in Singen. From the new timetable, only every second intercity train will run from Stuttgart to Zurich.

The current situation is worrying for passengers. The Gäubahn is struggling with single-track operation and overloading, which has a significant impact on the Swiss timetable. From December 2025, travelers must expect more frequent changes in Singen. The alliance has proposed a three-tiered package of measures to improve the travel experience:

• Kurzfristige Anpassung des Fahrplans, um pünktliche Ankünfte der Doppelstock-ICs zu gewährleisten.
• Mittelfristige Beschaffung moderner Züge.
• Langfristige Rückkehr zur Zweigleisigkeit der Gäubahn und Beibehaltung des Kombibahnhofs in Stuttgart.

Criticism of the Pfaffenstieg Tunnel

The Pro Gäubahn alliance sees the Pfaffenstieg Tunnel as an inefficient billion-dollar project that does not solve any of the existing problems. According to the reports, the construction time of the tunnel will potentially lead to years of restrictions, including bus replacement services and possible transfers in Singen. The question of whether the Stuttgart-Zurich connection could soon be at risk is also controversial. The alliance’s demands are clear:

• Keine Kappung der Gäubahn.
• Weiterbetrieb der Gäubahn über die Bestandsstrecke bis Stuttgart Hbf.
• Sofortiger Stopp des Pfaffensteigtunnels.
• Investitionen in bessere Fahrzeuge und Infrastruktur.
• Erhalt des Stuttgarter Kopfbahnhofs für einen stabilen Bahnbetrieb.

Additionally, it is argued that the proposed measures could save billions in taxpayer money. At a time when climate change is increasing the importance of rail as an environmentally friendly means of transport, it is crucial that the infrastructure is supported accordingly. The Statista shows that per capita investment in rail infrastructure in Germany is alarmingly low compared to other countries such as Switzerland and Austria.

The discussion about the Pfaffenstieg Tunnel shows once again how important a well-functioning railway infrastructure is for future mobility. Given the ongoing challenges in rail transport, it remains to be seen what political decisions will ultimately be made to meet the needs of passengers and secure transport connections.