DB InfraGO, Germany’s rail infrastructure manager, has “consciously or unconsciously” announced a delay in the implementation of ETCS on the Riedbahn. The crucial rail artery between Frankfurt and Mannheim is currently undergoing a renovation, during which it is supposed to be equipped with the new security system.
“A good 100 days after the start of the general renovation of the Riedbahn, Deutsche Bahn and the construction companies involved have reached an important milestone”, the German state-owned rail operator festively announced. “The work on the rails, sleepers and ballast is nearing completion as planned. Now the intensive phase begins in which technicians install the new control and safety technology.” From 15 December, trains are supposed to run again on the route.
But DB’s announcement tacitly reveals another ETCS delay on the Riedbahn, and it is not the first time either, according to German rail freight association Die Güterbahnen. “Whether consciously or unconsciously, DB InfraGO announces a further delay in the commissioning of ETCS in its press release”, the association says.
“At the beginning of September, DB InfraGO admitted to its customers that the control and safety system would not go into operation on 15 December as planned, but only in the first quarter of next year. The final commissioning of all sections is now expected to take until the second quarter, possibly until June 2025.”
Decline in capacity and efficiency
DB also says that all local and freight trains will be able to travel at maximum speed on the Riedbahn, but this, according to Die Güterbahnen, is only a half-truth. “DB InfraGO is failing to mention that due to the delays in the commissioning of ETCS, the older PZB technology is now being used for control and safety technology, so that after construction is completed on December 15, the block spacing will remain significantly larger than before the renovation”, the association explains.
For the renovation, DB InfraGO removed the LZB safety technology, which increased capacity. In other words, the ETCS delay and removal of LZB now mean that capacity and efficiency on the route will be reduced in the short and medium term.
Lastly, Die Güterbahnen refutes DB’s claim that the renovation of the Riedbahn will improve punctuality on the route: “Even after the renovation, the Riedbahn will not be more punctual. This has been known for a long time. […] Although the renovation improves the condition of the facilities, which reduces the susceptibility to breakdowns, it will not make any trains run more punctually.”
