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Giessen is fighting for a direct train connection to Cologne – what’s happening now!
Giessen calls for the direct train connection to Cologne to be restored. Current transfer problems and planned changes to local transport.
Giessen is fighting for a direct train connection to Cologne – what’s happening now!
Are plans for a direct train connection between Giessen and Cologne in the air? Travelers currently have to be prepared for a detour: When traveling from Giessen train station to Cologne, a change in Siegen is necessary, which often leads to long waiting times and stress. In Siegen, passengers only have 4 to 5 minutes to change platforms before they have to wait for their connection - and that's just a question of timing. If you miss the train, the unpleasant result is waiting times of up to an hour. The train journey quickly becomes a test of patience. Giessen General reports on the discontent among the travelers and the constant demands to restore a direct connection.
In recent months there have been repeated calls from the transport associations in North Rhine-Westphalia and the passenger advisory boards in Gießen and Wetzlar to put an end to the gap that has existed for 15 years. In fact, the direct connection between Giessen and Cologne, which existed for over 150 years, was discontinued in 2009. Since then, passengers have had to rely on connecting connections, which has significantly reduced the attractiveness of the route. However, the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) does not see itself in a position to create a direct connection before 2038, which is criticized by many as insufficient.
Formative plans for the future
However, things seem to be moving slowly in the future: The Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport Association (NWL) is planning to put out a tender for a new regional express (RE9), which will run from Cologne to Giessen every two hours. This project would have a decisive impact on mobility in the region. Compared to the current RE99, which only offers 300 seats, the new RE9 has 720 to 760 seats. This will make it possible to transport more passengers comfortably and significantly reduce transfer times. Giessener Anzeiger reports that the RE9 is expected to launch towards the end of 2031 or 2033 at the latest, raising hopes for more flexibility and better travel options.
The current discussions are also influenced by the impending cancellation of IC34 from December 2026, which opens up new possibilities for the timetable. With the abolition of this connection, a return to hourly connections to Cologne could come into play for travelers from Giessen. According to reports, the passenger association “Pro Bahn Mittelhessen” has also taken a critical look at the RMV and called for more commitment to restoring the direct train connection.