Munich, February 20, 2026 – Commuters in Munich faced significant challenges on Friday as the S-Bahn Stammstrecke (main line) experienced severe disruptions due to a defective signal near Donnersbergerbrücke. The issues, which began in the morning, continued to affect service throughout the day, extending into the evening rush hour. Several S-Bahn lines were impacted, leading to delays, diversions, and cancellations.
Signal Defect Causes Widespread S-Bahn Chaos
The core of the problem was identified as a faulty signal in the Donnersbergerbrücke area. This technical issue rendered train movements between Pasing and Ostbahnhof impossible for extended periods, forcing the Deutsche Bahn (DB) to implement widespread changes to its S-Bahn schedule. Passengers were advised to expect delays of 15 to 20 minutes and isolated partial cancellations.
Impact on S-Bahn Lines: A Detailed Overview
The disruptions affected numerous S-Bahn lines, with some operating on altered routes or with reduced service:
- S1 (Freising/Airport): Operated only between Moosach and Freising/Airport. From Neufahrn, S-Bahns ran alternately to Freising and the airport every 40 minutes.
- S2: Operated only between Petershausen/Altomünster and Heimeranplatz (Platform 11), and between Erding and Ostbahnhof.
- S3: Operated only between Mammendorf and Pasing, and between Holzkirchen and Ostbahnhof.
- S4: Operated only between Geltendorf and Pasing.
- S5: Operated only between Kreuzstraße and Ostbahnhof.
- S6: Operated on its regular route through the Stammstrecke with all scheduled stops. However, early reports indicated diversions for trains from Tutzing direction Ebersberg, bypassing the Stammstrecke between Pasing and Ostbahnhof (Platforms 7-13, long-distance track), with Leuchtenbergring and Berg am Laim stops omitted.
- S7: Operated on its regular route between Wolfratshausen and Hauptbahnhof (Platform 36).
- S8 (Herrsching/Airport): Was diverted between Pasing and Ostbahnhof (Platforms 7-13, long-distance track), bypassing the Stammstrecke. The Leuchtenbergring stop was omitted.
- S20: All services were cancelled.
Additionally, during peak hours, the 10-minute interval services for some lines, as well as S5 services between Pasing and Weßling, were cancelled.
Alternatives and Passenger Information
To mitigate the impact on travelers, the Munich S-Bahn recommended several alternative routes using U-Bahn, bus, and tram services. DB tickets were also recognized on MVG (Munich Transport Company) services for the duration of the disruption.
Key alternatives included:
- For S1: U3 between Moosach and Marienplatz; U2 between Feldmoching and Hauptbahnhof; Bus 162 between Moosach and Pasing.
- For S2: U5 between Ostbahnhof/Stachus/Hauptbahnhof and Heimeranplatz; S7 between Hauptbahnhof (Platform 36) and Heimeranplatz.
- For S8: S2 between Leuchtenbergring and Ostbahnhof.
Further alternatives between Pasing and Ostbahnhof included various tram lines (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) and U5 services, as well as bus lines (57, 130/157).
Repairs and Partial Resumption of Service
Repair efforts on the defective signal continued throughout the day. By 7:15 PM, the DB reported that some S-Bahn lines were able to resume normal service through the Stammstrecke. The S2, S3, S4, S6, and S8 were running through the main line again. However, the S1 continued to operate only between Moosach and Freising/Airport, and the S5 only between Kreuzstraße and Ostbahnhof.
Passenger Experiences and Outlook
The disruptions led to frustration among passengers. One reader reported a journey on the S6 line that typically takes 20 minutes extended to an hour. Passengers were forced to disembark at Pasing if their destination was not Ostbahnhof or further east, waiting for subsequent connections. The reader noted, “I was lucky because I could take an RE to the main station. Others had to wait longer.”
While the immediate signal repair was completed, the extensive impact on the S-Bahn network highlighted the vulnerability of Munich’s public transport system to technical malfunctions on the critical Stammstrecke. Authorities will likely be reviewing the incident to prevent similar widespread disruptions in the future.
Source: merkur.de
