Nearly one in 12 German long-distance trains cancelled in first half

Almost one in 12 long-distance trains operated by Germany's national rail company Deutsche Bahn were cancelled entirely or for part of their route in the first half of 2026, according to government figures.

The cancellation rate stood at 8%, three percentage points higher than in the same period last year and the second-highest level since 2019, according to a Transport Ministry response to a parliamentary question from the Greens seen by dpa.

Only the first half of 2024 recorded a higher rate, at 12%, which the ministry attributed to strikes by the German Train Drivers' Union (GDL).

Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services also struggled with punctuality. Just 58.7% of trains arrived on time in the first six months of the year, according to the company. Cancelled services are not included in that figure.

"Deutsche Bahn and the government must not simply accept the rising and persistently high number of cancellations on long-distance services," Green lawmaker Matthias Gastel said.

He said cancellations and delays were often linked to technical problems with trains and called for stronger preventive maintenance, as well as more reserve trains and staff at key transport hubs.