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Metronome reduces journeys: 16 connections canceled!
From November 3, 2025, changes to the metronome timetable for Lüneburg will come into force. 16 connections will be canceled.
Metronome reduces journeys: 16 connections canceled!
A new timetable is intended to ensure more stability: From November 3, 2025, the Metronome will thin out its offering. The aim of this stabilization timetable is to reduce short-term train cancellations and increase the reliability of rail transport. A total of 16 trips per week will be canceled until December 13, 2025. The routes affected are Hamburg-Lüneburg-Uelzen and Bremen-Rotenburg-Hamburg, and specifically the lines RE3, RB31, RE4 and RB41. [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/lueneburg_heide_unterelbe/metronom-duennt-fahrplan-aus-16-fahrten- Werden-gestrichen,metronom-104.html) reports that this measure is due to the insufficient availability of trains.
At the moment only 22 of the 27 required vehicles are available. The causes of these defects are long material procurement times and unforeseen maintenance work. Among other things, damage to the overhead lines and fallen trees must be repaired. Fortunately, two damaged trains are expected to be operational again in early November. Alstom, the company responsible for maintenance, plans to have the remaining vehicles ready by the end of the year.
Answers to the problems
The state local transport company (LNVG) has already withheld a significant amount from Alstom and is working proactively to procure replacement vehicles. She also offered the metronome additional vehicles. According to information from NDR, the metronome will check whether these vehicles can actually be used. The LNVG also wants to assert claims for damages against Alstom in order to compensate for the inconvenience caused.
It is important for travelers to know that the route between Hamburg and Hanover has been open again since late morning, although there may be occasional delays. In perspective, DB Regio will take over the Göttingen-Uelzen route from June 2026.
The location of the infrastructure
A look at the general situation of the rail network shows that there have been improvements in recent years. The current status report from DB InfraGO, published in 2024, evaluates around 292,000 infrastructure systems in the rail network on a scale. The overall grade for the rail network has improved from 3.03 to 3.00, mainly thanks to improvements in the superstructure, especially the tracks, which now achieve a grade of 2.91. DB InfraGO.
The number of fault reports has fallen, which could increase passenger satisfaction. Nevertheless, the need for modernization remains high, especially on heavily used routes where 50% of the signal boxes would have to be replaced. The average rating of the signal boxes is 4.12.
There are also encouraging developments: In 2023, over 2,000 kilometers of tracks and 1,800 switches were renewed. These measures are crucial to meet the growing demands of modern rail transport.
In conclusion, one could say that travelers can hope for both challenges and progress in rail transport in the coming weeks and months. While the Metronome is working on its problems, the infrastructure overall is showing positive trends that could give the industry good future prospects.