Hamburg, Germany – 20 February 2026 – Deutsche Bahn (DB) has pushed back against accusations of a lack of transparency concerning delays in the general renovation of the crucial Hamburg-Berlin railway line. The company asserts that federal and state authorities were promptly informed about the developments before the information was released to the media.
DB Responds to Criticism from Federal States
Evelyn Palla, head of Deutsche Bahn, stated that the decision to postpone the reopening of the line was made only on Monday. “As soon as the decision was made, the railway informed immediately and transparently,” Palla explained. She added that a stable and reliable timetable would be presented on March 13, as previously announced.
This statement follows strong criticism from several federal states affected by the renovation. In a letter addressed to Palla, the heads of government from Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Hamburg, and Schleswig-Holstein criticized DB for extending the construction work without adequately informing the states beforehand. The state leaders issued an ultimatum, demanding a concrete action and time plan by March 2.
“This timetable must be submitted immediately and communicated continuously,” the letter further stated. The states also insisted that Deutsche Bahn bear all additional costs, emphasizing that the financial burden should not be passed on to the states, municipalities, or passengers.
Frost Causes Renovation Delays
Earlier this week, Deutsche Bahn announced an indefinite extension of the closure for the Hamburg-Berlin railway line. The winter weather conditions have caused delays in the renovation of one of Germany’s most heavily used routes. On Tuesday, it was clarified that the delay would be for “a few weeks, not months.”
Consequently, diversions and longer travel times for long-distance and regional services are expected to remain in place for an extended period. Commuters, particularly those in western Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and eastern Schleswig-Holstein, will continue to rely on replacement bus services, for example, from Schwerin or Ludwigslust to Hamburg, until late spring.
Previous Reports and Passenger Information
The issue of the Hamburg-Berlin line renovation has been ongoing. On February 18, 2026, it was reported that the general renovation would take longer, prompting passengers to seek updated information. On February 17, 2026, the cause of the extended construction was identified as frost, with Deutsche Bahn confirming that the planned resumption of train services on April 30 could not be met due to the winter weather of the past weeks.
An interim assessment of the replacement transport services on January 15, 2026, indicated that 90 percent of buses were punctual. A bus network has been replacing the closed railway line between Hamburg and Berlin for six months, with passenger evaluations of the services varying.
The Hamburg-Berlin rail line is a critical artery for passenger and freight transport, and its extended closure has significant implications for regional connectivity and economic activity. The ongoing dialogue between Deutsche Bahn and the federal states highlights the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects and the importance of clear communication with all stakeholders.
Further updates are expected with the release of Deutsche Bahn’s detailed timetable on March 13.
