Delayed and cancelled trains run by Germany’s national rail provider, Deutsche Bahn, cost the company nearly 200 million euros in compensation in 2024.

DB paying millions in delay compensation

According to a report from the Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa), Deutsche Bahn's compensation payments to passengers on delayed or cancelled services cost the company 197 million euros in 2024.

In total, 6,9 million compensation claims were filed to Deutsche Bahn in 2024 via post and the internet, compared to the 5,6 million claims made in 2023.

Passengers travelling with Deutsche Bahn are entitled to a 25 percent refund if they arrive at their final destination one hour late, and entitled to a 50 percent refund if they arrive two hours late.

Why are Deutsche Bahn trains often late?

In 2024, just 62,5 percent of Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance ICE and IC long-distance trains arrived at their destination on time. A Deutsche Bahn long-distance train is considered “on time” when it arrives at its destination no more than six minutes after the scheduled arrival time.

These delays aren’t new, and have been worsening annually for several years. The company cites a number of reasons, namely Germany’s long-degrading track infrastructure, which is in dire need of a cash injection.

Given the country’s worker shortage, which is impacting most employment sectors, the company is also finding it increasingly difficult to fill vacant jobs, putting strain on existing employees.

In 2024, extreme weather also played a role. Flooding in southern federal states meant infrastructure damage and consequent delays during the early summer months.

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