Schaffhausen demands Deutsche Bahn trains stop at border over delays

In a significant development for Swiss-German rail relations, the canton of Schaffhausen has taken a firm stance against the persistent delays of Deutsche Bahn (DB) trains entering Switzerland. The Swiss canton has formally requested that DB trains terminate at the border, marking another chapter in Switzerland's ongoing efforts to maintain its renowned railway punctuality standards.

The stark contrast in punctuality between Swiss and German rail services has reached a critical point. In 2024, Deutsche Bahn's long-distance services achieved only 64% on-time performance, while Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) maintained an impressive 93.2% punctuality rate. This significant disparity has become increasingly problematic for Swiss transportation authorities, who prioritize maintaining their country's reputation for precise and reliable public transport.

Schaffhausen's action follows a precedent set in Basel, where SBB had already decided to terminate certain DB services at the border starting from 2025. Notable affected routes include the EuroCity service from Hamburg to Interlaken Ost and the Dortmund to Zurich connection. These measures were implemented to protect the integrity of Switzerland's tightly coordinated rail network from external disruptions.

In a strongly worded letter to SBB, Schaffhausen cantonal authorities have requested the splitting of the Stuttgart-Zurich connection at Singen, located just north of the Swiss-German border. The canton emphasizes that its residents 'have a right to reliable connections to Zurich.' This proposal would allow passengers to transfer to Swiss trains, ensuring timely arrival at their final destinations. The solution mirrors the successful approach already implemented in Basel, though SBB's response to this specific request remains pending.

While these measures may introduce additional transfers for international travelers, they reflect Switzerland's commitment to maintaining its high standards of rail service. Notably, trains returning to Germany from Switzerland continue to operate normally, as the focus remains on protecting Swiss domestic punctuality. This development signals a growing trend in Swiss transport policy, prioritizing reliability over direct international connections when faced with persistent external delays.