Rail chaos threatens: Leipzig-Dresden route completely closed in June!

Rail chaos threatens: Leipzig-Dresden route completely closed in June!

Rail travelers between Dresden and Leipzig must expect significant changes in the last week of June. The route will be completely closed these days, forcing Deutsche Bahn (DB) to set up replacement services. This measure is part of the ongoing modernization work, which began on March 10 and will last until June 6, 2025, to improve the quality and punctuality of rail transport. During this time, the RE50 regional express will be rerouted in the section between Dresden-Neustadt and Riesa and will not stop at all stops. The DB has also announced that many ICE trains between Leipzig and Dresden will be canceled Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., making the situation more difficult for commuters.

However, the preparations for the planned replacement service have met with criticism. The Pro Bahn passenger association has described the number of articulated buses provided for replacement services as insufficient. Only five buses will be available, which is considered insufficient given the expected high number of passengers. Pro Bahn demands improvements from the DB and suggests using direct buses with long-distance comfort that wait for train connections in order to offer passengers an appropriate travel option. According to Pro Bahn speaker Michael Koch, this is a necessary measure to accommodate more travelers. This shows that the Dresden region does not appear to be a priority for DB, which is frustrating for commuters and travelers.

Detour and connections

For travelers commuting to or from Glaubitz and Nünchritz, the DB has set up a bus service between Riesa, Glaubitz, Nünchritz and Großenhain Cottbusser Bahnhof. There, passengers can connect to the RE 15, RE 18 and RB 31 trains to Dresden. It is recommended to regularly check the timetables, which are available at bahn.de or in the DB Navigator app. A reliable and well-organized connection is essential for commuters, especially now that rail traffic is being strained by ongoing construction work.

In recent years, rail travel has increasingly been viewed as more environmentally friendly, especially in light of climate change. Shifting passenger and freight transport to rail can make a decisive contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions. The federal government has recognized this and decided on measures to promote sustainable mobility, which are also incorporated into the current modernizations. This includes, among other things, the reduction in VAT for long-distance rail transport and higher investments in rail infrastructure. The aim is to overcome the investment backlog in the German rail network and to make rail transport sustainable, because compared to other countries such as Switzerland or Austria, investments per capita in Germany are significantly lower.

In summary, the railway between Dresden and Leipzig is facing a series of challenges that affect both major construction projects and inadequate replacement solutions. Passengers hope for quick solutions and modern transport connections. So prepare well for the coming weeks and keep up to date with the latest developments.

For more information about the changes and replacement traffic, please visit the website MDR or Day24. You can also find rail transport statistics at Statista.