Over 5,000 people call for ICE stops in Riesa to be maintained

More than 5,000 people have petitioned Deutsche Bahn to maintain the ICE long-distance train stops in Riesa. The petition states that the town of 30,000 inhabitants is an important regional hub. Long-distance traffic is an important relief for the constantly full regional express. "Hands off the ICE stop in Riesa!" demand the signatories.

The passenger association Pro Bahn is also backing the petition. "Once again, DB Fernverkehr is trying to cut off part of the region and almost completely cancel one of four ICE stops in Saxony," said Michael Koch, board member of Pro Bahn Mitteldeutschland, according to a press release. It is also to be feared that this is only the beginning of the complete removal of the ICE stop in Riesa, which is not only important for the connection of the city itself, but also for the connection of the entire region to long-distance transport.

With the timetable change in December 2025, ICE trains on the route to and from Frankfurt/Main will only stop in Riesa in the morning in the direction of Leipzig and in the evening in the direction of Dresden. IC trains on the route between Dresden and North Rhine-Westphalia, on the other hand, will continue to stop every two hours.

In a joint press release, Riesa Mayor Marco Müller, Meissen District Administrator Ralf Hänsel (both CDU) and the Upper Elbe Transport Association (VVO) criticized the cancellations. The criticism was also echoed by politicians from the Greens and the Left Party.