Major Train Disruptions Between Munich and Allgäu: Bus Transfers Until March 4th
Munich, February 23rd – Rail passengers traveling between Munich and the Allgäu region are advised to prepare for significant disruptions and necessary bus transfers in the coming days. The German railway operator, Deutsche Bahn (DB), announced that due to the installation of four new switches, train services will be severely limited, particularly around Geltendorf station in the Landsberg am Lech district. These disruptions are expected to last until March 4th.
The critical work involves the replacement of switches at Geltendorf station, which necessitates the complete closure of the tracks at this location. Furthermore, the overhead lines on the route to Kaufering will be switched off, meaning only diesel trains can operate on that section. This measure is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the rail infrastructure and eliminate long-standing speed restrictions.
Impact on Key Train Services
Several train lines are affected, requiring passengers to adjust their travel plans:
- Eurocity-Express (Munich – Lindau – Zurich): International long-distance trains from Switzerland will terminate at Lindau-Reutin. Consequently, stops in Munich, Buchloe, and Memmingen will be omitted. DB will provide replacement buses on this route, with schedules coordinated to connect with Eurocity-Express trains to and from Zurich in Lindau-Reutin.
- RB74 (Munich – Buchloe) and RE70 (Munich – Kempten – Lindau): Regional trains on the RB74 line will be canceled between Munich and Geltendorf. RE70 trains will not operate between Fürstenfeldbruck and Geltendorf. Travelers can use express replacement buses, offering a roughly 30-minute non-stop journey between Geltendorf and Fürstenfeldbruck. Between Fürstenfeldbruck and Munich, passengers can use the S-Bahn line S4 or the RE70, which runs every two hours. Bus arrival and departure times in Geltendorf are synchronized with train schedules.
- RE72 and RE96 (Munich – Memmingen – Lindau): Regional trains operated by Arverio will be canceled between Buchloe and Munich. Arverio plans to offer express replacement buses without stops between Munich Central Station and Buchloe. Additional replacement buses will run between Munich-Pasing and Geltendorf, connecting to trains bound for Buchloe.
- RB68 (Munich – Kaufbeuren – Füssen): Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) services from the Allgäu will terminate at Geltendorf. Passengers must transfer to replacement buses to Fürstenfeldbruck. Between Geltendorf and Buchloe, BRB will operate additional shuttle trains, stopping in Kaufering, to provide hourly connections between 5:30 AM and 10:30 PM.
- RB67 (Augsburg – Schongau): Passengers on the RB67 line will need to use replacement buses between Geltendorf and Schondorf. On February 28th and March 1st, buses will also operate between Geltendorf and Walleshausen.
Munich S-Bahn S4 (Geltendorf – Ebersberg)
The S4 S-Bahn line from Munich will only run as far as Grafrath and turn back there. Passengers wishing to continue to Geltendorf must transfer to replacement buses. These buses are scheduled to run every 20 to 40 minutes, in line with the S-Bahn timetable. However, the journey by bus will take approximately 25 minutes longer than by S-Bahn. Arrival and departure times in Grafrath will be coordinated with the S-Bahn services.
Check Connections Before Traveling
Due to the short-notice timetable changes, DB advises that not all regional train lines may immediately reflect these adjustments in online information systems. Travelers are strongly encouraged to check their connections shortly before departure using resources such as the DB Navigator app or the websites of Arverio and Bayerische Regiobahn.
Purpose of the Construction Work
The current construction work follows a period of reduced speeds on the Munich-Buchloe route since February 7th, necessitated by aging tracks and switches. The installation of the new switches in Geltendorf is expected to eliminate the existing speed restriction in that section, where trains were previously limited to 20 km/h. After the work is completed, regular speeds will be restored.
DB stated that this measure is "a first important step towards stabilizing operations." The railway’s infrastructure subsidiary plans to address other speed restrictions along the route later in the year to further improve the overall efficiency and reliability of train services.
Source: Deutsche Bahn, ANTENNE BAYERN
