Commencement of construction works along routes connecting Hamburg and Berlin
The Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (VBB) has raised concerns about inadequate passenger information and signage during the replacement transport measures for the ongoing overhaul of the Berlin-Hamburg railway line.
The Berlin–Hamburg line, a major corridor with approximately 30,000 daily passengers, is undergoing a comprehensive renovation of tracks, switches, and control systems. To maintain connectivity, long-distance trains are being detoured, and regional services are being replaced by more than 170 buses daily. Real-time travel information is supplied through apps like DB Navigator and regional transit apps.
However, the VBB highlights the need for improvement in physical signage at stations and better passenger guidance to reduce confusion, especially for regional travelers reliant on bus replacements. Challenges stem from the line’s complexity, routing changes, and a high volume of passengers normally served by rail, increasing the difficulty of clear, consistent communication.
Improving signage and passenger information could include enhanced on-site displays, clearer wayfinding at affected stations, and more proactive staff or information points to assist travelers throughout the closure period. This would help address VBB's concerns and reduce passenger disruption during the infrastructure upgrade.
Meanwhile, in Dergenthin, the first switches are being renewed as part of the overhaul. Initial work on the overhaul includes the trackbed and signal technology. A cleaning machine is currently being used to clean the ballast in a section between Dergenthin (Perleberg) and Karstädt in Brandenburg. Once the old switches are removed, new ballast will be distributed, and new switches will be installed.
The construction site is proceeding according to plan, as stated by DB project manager Julian Fassing. The railway hopes that no construction work will be necessary on the line for at least five years after the overhaul. The Hamburg-Berlin railway line overhaul started on Friday evening and will end by the end of April. During the overhaul, the line is completely closed.
[1] Berliner Morgenpost [2] Deutsche Bahn
- The ongoing overhaul of the Berlin-Hamburg railway line, which is a significant transportation artery with around 30,000 daily passengers, is not just affecting the railway industry but also the finance industry due to potential losses from delayed or cancelled travel bookings.
- To leverage technology and provide better passenger information during the Berlin-Hamburg railway line overhaul, there could be an integration of real-time travel data from apps like DB Navigator and regional transit apps with the finance sector for seamless ticketing and compensation systems for any unforeseen disruptions.
