Metronome and DB Regio: New expected timetable for 2026!

Metronome and DB Regio: New expected timetable for 2026!

The regional trains on the popular route between Göttingen, Hanover and Hamburg can look forward to more reliability. From June 14, 2026, the companies metronom and DB Regio will assume responsibility for the Hanseatic network. The state local transport company (LNVG) is optimistic that dividing this transport network between two operators will increase stability and reliability. In the future, passengers can hope for an improved travel experience as no major changes to the timetable are planned. According to Lünburg Aktuell, which reports on the new plans, the contracts will remain in force until December 2033.

While metronom operates the lines in the northern part of the Hanseatic network, including the RE 3 from Hanover via Uelzen to Lüneburg to Hamburg and the RE 4 between Hamburg and Bremen, DB Regio takes over the southern route, which includes the RE 2 line from Uelzen via Hanover to Göttingen. This division is not only due to strategic considerations, but also due to economic challenges that metronom has faced in the past. A look at the current economic situation shows that pandemic-related declines, the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices and general inflation have also left their mark here.

Challenges and solutions

The company metronom had asked for an early termination of the contract at the end of 2024. The reason for this was financial difficulties and an acute shortage of staff, which has already led to timetable restrictions. But according to the managing director of metronom, the staff shortage is no longer considered acute. In order to improve the situation in the long term, the company plans to train and retain skilled workers. At the same time, they were able to secure the contract for the northern part of the Hanseatic network because they had submitted the most economical offer.

The LNVG has set itself a clear goal of improving the quality of local rail passenger transport through appropriate tendering procedures. Attention is also paid to maintenance: the trains will continue to be maintained in the workshop in Uelzen by ALSTOM, and they will keep their livery from the state local transport company. The total output of the Hanseatic network is now 8.7 million train kilometers per year - around 6.5 million in the northern part and 2.2 million in the southern part.

A look into the future

The possibility of a contract extension until the end of 2035 is within reach and could provide more planning security. DB Regio and metronom are already communicating to ensure a smooth transition in summer 2026. The LNVG will closely monitor the next steps in the procurement process to ensure that quality and efficiency in the area of ​​local rail passenger transport are increased.

When the new operators take up their service from June 2026, passengers can look forward to a modern, reliable and well-structured service. A good hand in selecting operators, coupled with an optimized timetable concept, should help make commuting between Lüneburg and Hamburg not only comfortable but also reliable.

For more information and current updates, we recommend reading the detailed reports Lüneburg Current, daily news and LNVG to pursue.