Deutsche Bahn will remain active on the Kiel-Hamburg route until 2039!

Deutsche Bahn will remain active on the Kiel-Hamburg route until 2039!

Deutsche Bahn will remain a central player in rail traffic between Kiel and Hamburg in the coming years. Kn online reports that the company will operate the railway line until at least 2027. In a procurement process, DB prevailed against three other applicants, which resulted in approval by the state parliament's economic and finance committee.

Particular attention is paid to punctuality, a crucial factor for customer satisfaction. Deutsche Bahn is obliged to achieve a punctuality rate of at least 81 percent; With improvements in the infrastructure, this could even increase to up to 90 percent. However, punctuality is currently only around 77 percent. This means that the company will also be financially penalized if it does not meet these quotas.

New ownership and innovations on the track

From the end of 2027, DB will rent new Coradia Max trains from Zug.SH. These modernized four-car electric multiple units include a combination of double-decker and single-decker cars and offer innovative armless seating options. The total capacity is increased to 360 seats, further improving travel comfort.

But not everything goes smoothly. There were legal disputes surrounding the award of the Kiel-Hamburg railway line. The DB is suing Schleswig-Holstein against the backdrop of a multi-million dollar tender that was ultimately canceled for cost reasons. NDR informed that the contract for the operation of these regional express lines RE7 and RE70 expires at the end of 2027 and the country is looking for a new company for the next twelve years.

Disputes and challenges

The dispute between Deutsche Bahn and Schleswig-Holstein also revolves around punctuality requirements. In the new tender, these were reduced by three percentage points to 90 percent, which is met with a lack of understanding. The Pro Bahn passenger association is sympathetic to the adjustments, while the DB is suing against the lowering of the requirements.

The decision on the lawsuit is expected on November 21st. If Deutsche Bahn loses, the country could potentially face claims for damages amounting to almost one million euros. A possible cancellation and re-tendering of the award procedure could be financially advantageous, as the offers would have been too expensive in the first attempt, which could have led to an additional burden of around 150 million euros over the contract term.

While discussions about the future of rail connections continue, it remains to be seen how political decisions will affect services and punctuality in Schleswig-Holstein. In the meantime, users of the Kiel-Hamburg route are invited to rely on the usual reliable connection and to follow developments closely.