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Trains between Aachen and Maastricht will be canceled tomorrow – this is how it continues!
Aachen: Train cancellations between Aachen and Maastricht due to technical problems. Drive replacement buses, check current connections.
Trains between Aachen and Maastricht will be canceled tomorrow – this is how it continues!
Significant restrictions on train traffic are currently expected in the region between Aachen and Maastricht. The popular connection of the Regional Express RE 18 has had a forced break since Wednesday afternoon, as t-online.de reports. The reason for this is a technical defect on another train that could affect the route between Heerlen and Herzogenrath and significantly disrupt operations. The railway strongly recommends travelers to check the current train routes in the online information in order to stay up to date.
This is a nuisance for many commuters and travelers, as the trains between Maastricht and Aachen are completely canceled. In addition, the regional trains from Liège-Guillemins will end and begin in Maastricht in the future. Replacement buses take over the transport between Maastricht and Herzogenrath, which means that you have to change trains to get to Aachen.
Alternative connections and further information
But what about the alternatives? Travelers starting from Aachen can use the trains RB 20 or RB 33, which lead to Herzogenrath. There is also the option of taking a regional express RE 18 from Herzogenrath to Heerlen every hour, but without any stops in between. The second hourly train between Aachen and Heerlen also had to be canceled, which made the situation even worse, report the Verkehrsbetriebe.
Another small but important detail for travelers: Currently, it is necessary to have a valid ticket for the RB 33 or RE 4 in order to use these connections. For the RB 20, however, the Dutch OV-Chipkaart is valid as far as Herzogenrath, which is somewhat helpful for travelers. Bus lines 44 (Aachen - Heerlen) and 350 (Aachen - Maastricht) are also available to close the gap.
The background
As the region grapples with these hurdles, the numbers from destatis.de suggest an interesting development. In 2023, the highest number of train passengers across the EU was recorded since data collection began in 2004. A real ray of hope that shows that rail transport is on the right track, even if technical problems and operational challenges like those at the moment cannot be avoided. The trend towards rail is unbroken, particularly in Germany and the neighboring countries of France, Italy, Spain and Poland.
Overall, the situation remains tense. Travelers are well advised to inform themselves regularly and to use diversions and alternative offers in order to reach their destination in the best possible way. It remains to be seen whether there will soon be a solution to the problems. One thing is clear: rail transport is and remains an important lifeline for the region.