Inequitable Financial Report for Local Transport Sector - Diverse Transportation Mixture Across Regions
In the first half of 2025, the punctuality of S-Bahn and regional trains in the Rhein-Main region, including the Rhein-Neckar area, has faced significant challenges. The issues are primarily due to operational complexities and capacity constraints linked to increased service demand and network congestion.
According to data from the Rhein-Neckar Transport Association (VRN), the punctuality rate for buses in the VRN was around 92% in the first half of 2025, a slight improvement from the previous year's average delay of 1.5 minutes. However, the same cannot be said for the S-Bahn and regional trains.
The reliability figures, which indicate how many trains run and do not get cancelled, have decreased for both S-bahn and regional trains. By the end of June 2025, these figures had dropped to 86.1% for S-bahn trains and 84.0% for regional trains. Trains that are at least six minutes late are considered delayed, and trips with less than five minutes delay are considered on-time for buses in the VRN.
Key contributing factors include increased service frequency and network extensions, conventional timetable limitations, infrastructure and technology challenges, and the complexity of traffic and demand management. The Rhein-Main corridor, being a highly trafficked area, presents a complex interplay of economic factors and traffic volumes, making precise traffic management challenging.
To address these issues, Deutsche Bahn has deployed an AI-based dispatcher system that predicts train positions ahead of time and suggests real-time adjustments to signals, train ordering, and platform assignments. Early trials in Stuttgart have shown significant punctuality improvements—reducing average lateness from 10.5 to 2.3 minutes—and such AI solutions are expected to be scaled across the Rhein-Main region pending regulatory approval.
In 2024, on average, 87.8% of S-bahn trains in the Rhein-Main region and 84.7% of regional trains were on time. However, these figures have dropped in 2025. For regional trains, the reliability figure dropped from 91.1% to 89.0%. Using the punctuality criterion of Deutsche Bahn (less than six minutes delay), the punctuality on the Riedbahn was 80% in 2025, compared to 60% in 2024.
Almost half of the cancelled trips on S-bahns and regional trains are due to construction sites. Despite improvements in signal box staffing and availability of driving personnel, record construction activity has caused the on-time figures to drop further.
The delay and cancellation issues extend from the Rhein-Main region to the Rhein-Neckar region, affecting both S-bahn and regional trains, as well as trams and buses. It is important to note that the VRN, which consists of 24 districts, urban districts, independent cities, and the federal states of Rheinland-Pfalz, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg, is based on a cooperation of the Zweckverband Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (ZRN) and is associated with the Mainz-Wiesbaden Transport Association, although Mainz is not a member of the Rhein-Main Transport Association.
In conclusion, punctuality degradation in early 2025 stems from increasing demand coupled with infrastructure and scheduling complexities. Advanced AI tools are being introduced to mitigate these challenges and restore reliability on the Rhein-Main S-Bahn and regional networks.
Community aid could be provided to address the financial strain faced by commuters due to the decreased punctuality and reliability of S-Bahn and regional trains in the Rhein-Main region. Vocational training programs in the transportation industry could be initiated to help develop a skilled workforce capable of managing complex traffic and demand in the region, reducing delays and improving the punctuality of trains.
