"Jokergleise" for more punctuality at the Bahn - Germany's bold plan to fix Deutsche Bahn's chronic train delays by 2027

Deutsche Bahn is set to introduce new measures to tackle persistent train delays. A government task force has outlined 22 concrete steps to improve punctuality, with changes rolling out from 2026 onwards. Passengers have long faced frustration over late services, prompting calls for action across Germany.

On March 20, 2026, Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder presented the proposals in Berlin. Among the key strategies are longer buffer periods between trains on certain routes, starting in 2027. These adjustments aim to prevent knock-on delays by giving services more time to recover from minor setbacks.

Another major change involves 'joker tracks'—dedicated sections of track reserved for last-minute operational tweaks. These will allow trains to reroute or adjust schedules without disrupting the wider network. While no stations or routes currently have these tracks, construction is planned for 2026 and 2027.

The task force also suggested that trains may depart slightly earlier than scheduled in some cases. This small shift could help services stay on time, particularly on busy routes where minor delays often escalate.

The measures mark a structured effort to address Deutsche Bahn's punctuality issues. Longer buffers, joker tracks, and adjusted departure times form the core of the plan. Implementation will begin in 2026, with further changes expected the following year.