Munich S-Bahn Stammstrecke Closure Extended, Commuters Face Continued Disruptions
Munich, May 29 – The ongoing closure of the Munich S-Bahn Stammstrecke (main line) between Pasing and Donnersberger Brücke has been extended until Friday evening, May 30, 2026, marking an additional day of disruption for thousands of commuters and travelers. This extension stems from “unexpected obstacles in the construction area” encountered during work on the new Laim station and the second Stammstrecke project, according to Deutsche Bahn.
Munich residents are accustomed to S-Bahn issues, with the passenger association “Pro Bahn” noting that complaints typically arise only during significant inconveniences. However, the current situation, characterized by widespread cancellations, timetable changes, insufficient rail replacement services along the Stammstrecke, and a perceived broken promise from Deutsche Bahn regarding construction limitations, has generated considerable frustration.
Extended Disruptions and Future Closures
The current closure, initially planned to end on Thursday morning, will now continue until Friday evening. Following this, further partial closures are scheduled:
- June 8-9 to June 11-12: The Stammstrecke will be partially closed nightly between 9:20 PM and 4:40 AM.
- June 12 (10:15 PM) to June 15 (4:00 AM): Only a limited number of lines will operate.
- Last weekend in June: Only S3 will run at night.
- July: S3 will be the sole line operating through the tunnel on several nights, running every half hour.
Passengers are advised to consult the S-Bahn Munich website for updated line maps and construction overviews.
Alternative Travel Options for Commuters
Until Thursday, May 29, 4:40 AM, S-Bahns will continue to operate under the current construction timetable. After this, until Friday evening, only the S3 and the combined S5/S7 lines will run between Donnersbergerbrücke and Ostbahnhof.
For travel between Pasing and Hauptbahnhof, passengers can use regional trains and the S4, which runs non-stop. Local transport tickets are also valid on long-distance trains during this period. Additionally, replacement buses continue to operate between Pasing and Hackerbrücke. The U5 subway line and tram lines 14 and 19 are also recommended alternatives.
“Pro Bahn” urges all passengers to depart early, allow ample time for transfers, and check current timetables for cancellations and alternative routes.
Impact on Travelers to and from Munich Airport
Travelers heading towards Lower Bavaria/Upper Palatinate and Prague will experience delays and cancellations on regional trains due to construction along the S1 line.
The S8 line is being rerouted via the Südring between Pasing and Ostbahnhof without stops during the extended Stammstrecke closure. S-Bahn officials recommend using the S8 via the Südring and transferring to trams or subways at Ostbahnhof. While Munich Airport remains accessible, passengers should plan extra travel time. The airport bus, regional trains via Freising, and taxi/ride-sharing services are also viable options. The U5 subway is a good alternative to the S-Bahn between Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof during line closures.
Reasons Behind the Extensive Construction
In 2017, Deutsche Bahn had pledged to limit Stammstrecke construction to two weekends per year. This goal is currently not being met, with 13 closures in two months alone.
A primary reason for the extensive work is the significant construction for the second S-Bahn Stammstrecke. Furthermore, the existing infrastructure is undergoing renovation, including track renewals, platform and bridge work, underpass construction near Fasanerie, and the expansion of the North marshalling yard. A comprehensive list of all construction projects is available on the Deutsche Bahn website.
Future Outlook: When Will the Situation Improve?
A Deutsche Bahn spokesperson indicated that the majority of full Stammstrecke closures are expected to conclude by the end of June. However, further timetable changes are inevitable until larger infrastructure projects are completed.
The second S-Bahn Stammstrecke is currently not expected to be finished until 2035 at the earliest. Until then, passengers should anticipate ongoing significant construction work. Once completed, disruptions are expected to be less frequent, as the first Stammstrecke will no longer act as a bottleneck.
This situation highlights the European perspective on infrastructure development, with the BR24 newsletter providing daily updates on regional news in Bavaria. The costs for the second Stammstrecke have already reached 9.4 billion euros and are projected to increase to 11 billion euros, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.
Source: BR24, Deutsche Bahn, Pro Bahn
