The punctuality of Germany's long-distance trains remained at a low level in May, with 61.3% of ICE and Intercity services arriving on time, according to internal data from state-owned rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
The figure was down from 62.1% in March and 64.4% in April but remained above the 60% mark, a threshold that was missed several times in 2025 and at the start of this year.
Deutsche Bahn is maintaining its target of achieving more than 60% punctuality on long-distance services for the whole of 2026. Under the company's definition, a train is considered delayed if it arrives six minutes or more behind schedule. Cancelled services are not included in the statistics.
German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder recently expressed cautious optimism about the outlook.
"I think we can be satisfied if the figure starts with a six, meaning punctuality above 60%," Schnieder said, adding that he trusted Deutsche Bahn executive Evelyn Palla's assessment that the company had "reached the bottom."
Germany's state-owned rail operator has struggled with poor punctuality for years, with performance deteriorating particularly sharply at the start of 2026.
The company has attributed the problems to ageing infrastructure, extensive construction work across the rail network and severe winter weather.
