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Rail chaos in Münsterland: National Express under attack!
Dissatisfaction with National Express: train cancellations and delays on the RE 7 Krefeld-Münster line. Most important aspects and reactions.
Rail chaos in Münsterland: National Express under attack!
Dissatisfaction with the National Express train company in Münsterland is growing. In particular, the RE 7 line, which runs from Krefeld via Münster to Rheine, has been criticized. Train cancellations, delays and chaotic timetable changes occur again and again - and have been happening for several months. According to that ms-current The local transport association Westphalia-Lippe (NWL) raises serious allegations against the provider.
The points of complaint should not be underestimated: National Express is said to have canceled trips on its own initiative without consulting the responsible authorities. The RE 4 line (Aachen–Düsseldorf–Dortmund) is particularly affected, where failures have occurred without a replacement concept. The NWL announced that it would now examine the events closely. “Our trust in National Express has been severely damaged,” said an NWL spokesman.
Contractual obligations and customer satisfaction
But that's not all. National Express is accused of breaching contractual obligations. These oblige the company to regularly coordinate with the transport associations. There have already been conflicts in the past in December 2024, when the offers on the RE 6 and RE 7 lines were reduced without sufficient consultation. The delay rate on the RE 7 is an alarming 48.6% in the second quarter of 2025. Only 51.4% of trains reach their destination less than four minutes late.
Customer satisfaction, a crucial factor in the railway sector, is also plummeting. On the Trustpilot platform, National Express only scores 1.5 out of 5 possible stars. Commuters report constant train cancellations, overcrowded carriages and a poor company communication policy, especially during disruptions.
Changes from November in Cologne
Even before the situation eases, further challenges lie ahead. From November 14, 2025, there will be extensive disruption in the greater Cologne area due to the commissioning of a new electronic signal box. These will burden passengers again.
Affected lines include RE 1, RE 5 and RE 7, which are being rerouted and in some cases have to accept failures. Particularly tricky: The diversions and stop cancellations will apply from November 14th to 24th, meaning commuters will once again have to expect an unpredictable timetable. The S-Bahn and the RB 25 line, however, can run according to their regular timetable - with the exception of two nighttime disruptions.
The challenges that could further impact customer satisfaction are already emerging as potential problems. And while Deutsche Bahn is in a completely different situation with a customer satisfaction rating of 2.2 in the regional area and 2.7 in long-distance transport, National Express remains asked how they want to overcome this crisis. With the aim of ensuring long-term customer satisfaction, DB places a high focus on factors such as punctuality, capacity utilization and information provision, which is urgently needed at National Express.
In view of these rapid events, maintaining traffic in Münsterland and the Cologne area is increasingly becoming a balancing act for the company. The passengers' demands are clear: they want at least a reasonably punctual and reliable connection again, before things get even more chaotic. It remains exciting to see whether National Express has a good hand for the challenges ahead.