Deutsche Bahn is struggling with worn-out tracks and stations across Germany. Cracks, faulty signage and deteriorated bridges have forced speed limits on many routes. Delayed arrivals and chaotic schedules are now commonplace. The issues extend in local routes and express trains alike.
In addition, IT glitches have shut down the signaling network multiple times this year. A recent malfunction stopped trains nationwide for several hours. The outages have left schedules in disarray and eroded confidence in the rail operator. Repair timelines stretch for years, and daily riders can expect more delays.