The punctuality of Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) long-distance trains stabilized further in May, though the rate remains low. Internal DB data, which the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reported on and which the company confirmed upon request, shows that 61.3 percent of all ICE and IC services arrived at their destination on time in the previous month. While these figures are lower than those recorded in March (62.1 percent) and April (64.4 percent), the performance has not frequently dropped below the 60 percent threshold as it did in previous years.
The projected figure for the full year 2026 is currently nearing the 60 percent mark at 59.9 percent. This contrasts with remarks previously made by Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU), who has repeatedly stated that he would be satisfied if the annual punctuality figure ended up ‘starting with a 6.’ In Germany, a train is officially deemed delayed once it arrives more than five minutes and fifty-nine seconds behind its scheduled time.
Overall, punctuality on DB’s long-distance network has been in a rapid decline since 2020. During the COVID year, 81.8 percent of all trains were on schedule, and in the following year, this figure improved to 75.2 percent. However, the rate has steadily decreased in subsequent years. In 2025, it reached a historical low of 60.1 percent.
