Germany's Railway Introduces Buffer Zones to Boost Punctuality
Germany's railway network is grappling with punctuality issues, with long-distance traffic falling below 60% in 2023. Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder has responded by lowering punctuality targets and introducing buffer zones to combat delays.
The Riedbahn, following a €1.5 billion renovation, reopened with immediate delays, highlighting the network's challenges. Schnieder has adjusted punctuality targets to 70% by 2029, pushing back the previous 2026 goal. To tackle the issue, the railway plans to introduce buffer zones starting in 2027. These are 'binding time reserves' integrated into the timetable, designed to relieve the network and dampen delay transmission. The BMVI, the authority responsible for approving test zones on important routes, will oversee this process. The Riedbahn, Main-Neckar Railway, and other routes will be affected, with new buffer times bindingly included in timetables and impacting transfer connections.
The railway attributes these punctuality issues to high construction activity and vandalism. By artificially lengthening travel times on busy routes, the introduction of buffer zones aims to mitigate these challenges and improve overall network performance.
The German railway is implementing buffer zones to enhance punctuality, with the Riedbahn and other routes set to be affected. The new system, approved by the BMVI, will artificially lengthen travel times to relieve the network and reduce delay transmission. This measure, along with adjusted punctuality targets, aims to improve Germany's railway network performance.
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