Germany's train service is one of Europe's worst. How did it get so bad?

Metrics, cancellations, and perceived gaming

• Some argue trains are cancelled to protect punctuality stats and that metrics should treat cancellations as extreme delays, or measure “delayed journeys” (including missed connections).
• Others counter there’s little evidence of stats-gaming; cancellations often stem from hard capacity conflicts when a very late train would block subsequent services on already congested lines.
• There’s concern that badly chosen metrics and tolerance of deteriorating service will gradually push riders to cars over decades.

Network density, complexity, and capacity limits

• Commenters stress the sheer size and density of Germany’s rail network, especially in regions like NRW, with many overlapping regional and long‑distance lines plus freight on shared tracks.
• High speeds, frequent services, shared tracks and platforms, and limited overtaking options make the system brittle: a 15–30 minute delay can propagate widely.
• Implementation of modern signalling (e.g., moving blocks / ETCS-style concepts) is seen as slow; past removal of switches and sidings is blamed for reduced flexibility.

Passenger experience, reliability, and mode shift

• Numerous anecdotes describe severe delays, last‑minute cancellations, lost reservations, overcrowding, and route chaos, especially on long‑distance services and international trips.
• Some travelers now prefer buses (Flixbus), cars, or planes for reliability, even when slower or less comfortable.
• Others report mostly tolerable delays (e.g., ~20 minutes) and praise ICE comfort, Wi‑Fi, app quality, and network reach compared with other countries.

Governance, pseudo‑privatization, and underinvestment

• Several posts blame “decades of mismanagement” and chronic underinvestment.
• The conversion of Deutsche Bahn into a state‑owned joint stock company is criticized for misaligned incentives: pressure for short‑term profitability and large projects over steady maintenance.
• Broader German structural issues are invoked: heavy bureaucracy, risk‑averse management, perverse incentive systems, and meeting culture that slow real work.

Comparisons and broader context

• Comparisons are made to Japan (purpose‑built, highly punctual), Shanghai’s metro, France’s star‑shaped TGV, Switzerland/Netherlands (smaller but dense), and much weaker systems like Amtrak or Ireland.
• Some note that despite its problems, Germany’s coverage and frequency are still impressive by global standards, especially given geography and decentralized cities.

Coping strategies and proposed fixes

• Riders develop “probabilistic routing” habits: aiming for big hubs, allowing large buffers, and prioritizing being physically closer over official fastest routes.
• Suggested remedies include stricter passenger compensation (as in air travel), independent metric tracking, more platforms and dedicated tracks, modern signalling, and long‑term reinvestment—while accepting things may get worse during rebuilding.