Recent reports from German media have highlighted a state of chaos on railway lines connecting Germany and Poland, particularly affecting Polish passengers. According to Ingo Koschenz from the rail passenger association Pro Bahn, travelers are facing abrupt disruptions including being ejected from trains at Frankfurt an der Oder without prior notification.
Ongoing railway renovations, expected to continue until at least 2026, are severely impacting travel times. The critical section between the eastern German town of Angermuende and Szczecin, a key route linking the Polish city to Berlin, is completely closed, forcing passengers to rely on less frequent and slower replacement bus services.
Pro Bahn has voiced strong criticism over the handling of the situation. The association argues that maintenance and upgrades, such as the dual-track modernization and the construction of a new bridge over the Oder River, could be managed differently to minimize disruptions. “Lines would only need to be closed for a few days, not years,” Koschenz stated, emphasizing the feasibility of keeping routes open during infrastructure upgrades.
The situation is exacerbated on the Berlin-Kostrzyn nad Odrą route, where only small replacement buses have been operating since December 2021. Regular train cancellations between Frankfurt an der Oder, Zielona Góra, and Guben further compound the inconvenience for travelers.
Critics have also pointed out the inadequate information provided to passengers regarding the ongoing disruptions and construction work. Koschenz criticized the Deutsche Bahn app, which suggests an alternative route to Berlin via the regional RE 1 train but fails to mention that this service is also not fully operational due to the renovations.