Punctuality of German Rail at Only 52.1 Percent in January - Germany's rail chaos deepens as winter storms derail punctuality to record lows

Germany's rail network is facing severe challenges after extreme winter weather pushed punctuality to record lows. Heavy snow and ice in January 2026 left thousands of kilometres (km) of track impassable, disrupting services across the north of the country.

The latest data shows long-distance train punctuality dropped to just 52.1% in January. This marks a slight improvement from October 2025, when it hit a historic low of 51.5%, but remains far below the 2025 annual average of 60.1%.

Winter storm Elli caused widespread damage, blocking around 3,000 km of track. Over 5,000 employees worked daily to clear frozen switches and remove ice from the lines.

The ongoing issues highlight deeper problems in Germany's rail system. Aging infrastructure has contributed to consistently poor performance, prompting calls for urgent action. In response, the federal government has allocated €23 billion for 2026 to upgrade the network. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn CEO Evelyn Palla has set a target of 60% punctuality for the year, alongside a broader reform agenda.

The January figures reveal the scale of disruption caused by winter weather, with punctuality still well below previous averages. With major investment and reforms planned, authorities aim to stabilise the network and improve reliability in the coming months.