Chemnitz–Leipzig rail line: Temporary schedule due to a shortage of trains

Rail travelers will once again face service disruptions on the problematic Chemnitz-Leipzig route. Starting Sunday, some trains on the RE 6 line will run on a modified schedule for one week, according to the Central Saxony Transport Association (VMS) and Mitteldeutsche Regiobahn. In the evenings, trains between Chemnitz and Geithain will also be completely replaced by buses. The reason is further delays in the delivery of the new battery-powered trains by the manufacturer. 

Because not all of these trains are yet ready for service, some will be rerouted between Leipzig and Geithain via the electrified line through Borna, officials said. This will allow them to charge while in transit, thereby shortening the charging time at Chemnitz Central Station.

Trains in Leipzig are departing earlier and arriving later

Due to the rerouting, every other train is departing from Leipzig 13 minutes earlier than usual and arriving there in the opposite direction about 10 minutes later. Additionally, the stop in Bad Lausick has been eliminated. A bus replacement service will be provided here. The replacement schedule will be in effect from Sunday through June 19.

Efforts to upgrade the single-track, non-electrified line between the two major cities have been underway for many years. At the same time, there has been repeated criticism of the trains used on that line. Modern battery-powered trains were originally scheduled to replace the old Reichsbahn cars in use there by the end of 2023. However, the manufacturer was unable to deliver. It wasn’t until early February that the first of these new trains entered regular service. In the meantime, diesel double-decker trains were used.

The last of these trains will be taken off the line on Sunday, according to the VMS. However, of the eleven battery-powered trains required, only ten have been delivered by the manufacturer. That is why the revised schedule is necessary.