The problem of Deutsche Bahn (DB) with defective concrete sleepers in the rail network is possibly even greater than previously assumed. “According to our information, around one million concrete sleepers have to be replaced,” says Martin Burkert, Vice President of the Railway and Transport Union (EVG).
So far, Deutsche Bahn has always spoken of around 200,000 sleepers that now have to be checked and replaced if necessary. The concrete sleepers are considered a possible cause of the fatal train accident near Garmisch-Partenkirchen a few weeks ago.
Despite the statements made by the trade unionist, Deutsche Bahn remains with its own smaller number. “That’s not true,” a spokeswoman told WELT. Most of the approximately 80 million sleepers in the rail network are in “very good condition”. “According to current knowledge”, it is assumed that only 0.25 percent – i.e. around 200,000 concrete sleepers – could be affected by the problems. “If we find any abnormalities, we will replace the sleepers as soon as possible,” said the DB spokeswoman. It is currently not possible to say how many sleepers will actually have to be replaced, as the inspections are still ongoing.
According to EVG Vice Burkert, some of the affected sleepers could still be temporarily upgraded, but this would only save some time. After a maximum of two years, they would have to be completely replaced. The work posed “massive additional challenges” for the entire railway system, says Burkert. “So far, the costs have not been planned anywhere, the affected routes are already partially closed – on some routes even without replacement traffic because there are no buses and drivers.”
According to Deutsche Bahn, twelve sections of the route are currently completely closed nationwide due to the threshold program. According to the EVG, the east and south of Germany are mainly affected, where the potentially damaged sleepers were used particularly frequently – specifically Bavaria, where the accident site is located, but also Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Long-distance traffic is affected less frequently than regional traffic, since other types of sleepers have been laid on the routes for higher speeds.
“It is also still completely open who will pay the fines for the fact that the routes can now not be used,” says Burkert. It seems possible that the railways will take recourse against the manufacturer of the defective concrete sleepers. “Due to the ongoing investigations, we unfortunately cannot comment on this,” says the DB spokeswoman.
The closures due to the concrete sleepers are just one of numerous problems that are currently impeding rail traffic throughout Germany. In particular, the high level of sick leave is causing problems for many railway companies. In Bavaria, the Bavarian Railway Company (BEG), which is responsible for local rail transport, confirms that there are currently restrictions due to a lack of staff. The “very high sick leave” is mainly due to the high number of corona cases.
“Therefore, temporary replacement concepts are currently being used, especially in northern Bavaria, in order to ensure that passengers can plan their operations despite high levels of sickness,” the BEG reports. “We have asked the transport companies to provide the contractually agreed transport services in full again as soon as possible.” In weekly situation meetings, detailed reports can be given on the development of the sick leave, but it cannot be reliably estimated when the situation could normalize.
However, the BEG reports that the figure circulated among employees of a 30 percent reduction in rail traffic due to the lack of staff cannot be confirmed. Deutsche Bahn in Bavaria also denies that the high level of sick leave has such dramatic consequences for DB regional transport. “Restrictions only apply in individual cases,” assures a spokesman.
Due to the high level of sick leave during the main holiday period, the RE 19 line from Nuremberg via Bamberg to Sonnenberg would have to be canceled at the weekend. “Due to the planned failure of the line, DB Regio Bayern continues to offer a reliable and predictable service on the other lines,” says the spokesman.
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