Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced plans to serve Mannheim with ICE trains every half hour in the future. This is part of the company’s efforts to improve transport policy and implement the Deutschlandtakt, a concept aimed at improving rail traffic in Germany. However, for now, there are no additional trains planned for the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region.
The extended range of trains for the 2026 timetable year, starting in December 2025, has been revealed. However, the successful implementation of these changes depends on the timely operation of the “Stuttgart 21” underground station and access routes. The completion of this project is uncertain due to the complexity of the remaining work. Currently, rail traffic in the greater Stuttgart area is heavily affected by the closure of routes related to the construction of “Stuttgart 21”.
Another prerequisite for the planned timetable concept is the use of high-acceleration railcars on the Frankfurt to Fulda route in regional traffic. The new timetable aims to modify cycle times so that ICE trains from Mannheim to Berlin can connect to the ICE line from Munich to Hamburg in Fulda. This would allow for a half-hourly service from Mannheim to Hamburg via Hanover, but only an hourly direct connection without changing trains. The other connection would require a change in Fulda.
From 2026, there will be more direct trains from Mannheim to Munich, although there won’t be a significant increase in the number of trains stopping in Mannheim. Currently, there is an hourly direct ICE train from Mannheim to Munich. Since the new line from Wendlingen to Ulm opened last December, there has been an additional ICE running from Dortmund via Mannheim to Munich every two hours. However, due to construction restrictions, not all scheduled trains have been running in recent months.
The new high-speed route from Wendlingen to Ulm has reduced travel times by around ten to 15 minutes. When “Stuttgart 21” is completed, travel times will be further reduced to approximately 30 minutes compared to previous journeys. This will enable a half-hourly service between Mannheim and Munich. To achieve this, the ICE line from Hamburg to Munich, which currently ends in Stuttgart, will be extended. Additionally, this train will only operate between Stuttgart and Munich.
The Deutschlandtakt concept has been a topic of discussion and has attracted attention outside of specialist circles. In March, Michael Theurer, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Transport and Federal Government Commissioner for Rail Transport, stated that the Deutschlandtakt would be implemented as a “project of the century” in the next 50 years. This led to concerns that the project would be delayed or put on hold. However, Bahn boss Richard Lutz emphasized that DB is actively implementing the Deutschlandtakt and is committed to building the Germany cycle.
In December, a half-hourly service will be introduced on the Berlin to Hanover route. This will be made possible by relocating the IC from Berlin to Amsterdam, reducing travel times by approximately 30 minutes. Additionally, a new concept for the ICE timetable between Berlin and the Ruhr area will be implemented.
To improve travel from Berlin to Cologne, changes will be made to the train configuration. Currently, a train consisting of two ICE 2 trains departs from Berlin every hour and is divided in Hamm. From mid-December, only every second train in Hamm will be divided, while the other trains will run as a long ICE 4 on the route from Berlin to Düsseldorf. A separate ICE will run from Berlin to Cologne, stopping only in Hanover, Bielefeld, Hagen, and Wuppertal.
These developments aim to enhance rail travel in Germany and bring it closer to Swiss standards. While the implementation of the Deutschlandtakt may take several decades, DB is committed to making significant improvements to long-distance traffic and reintroducing long-distance rail travel on former Interregio lines.
Overall, these changes will provide more frequent and direct connections for passengers traveling between major cities in Germany, including Mannheim, Munich, Berlin, and Hanover.
How will the implementation of half-hourly ICE train services between Mannheim and Munich eliminate the need for passengers to change trains in Stuttgart
Nd Munich, eliminating the need for passengers to change trains in Stuttgart.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced plans to improve rail connectivity in Germany by introducing half-hourly ICE train services to Mannheim as part of its efforts to implement the Deutschlandtakt concept. However, the success of these plans depends on the timely completion of the “Stuttgart 21” underground station and access routes, which remains uncertain due to the complexity of the remaining work. The closure of routes related to the construction of “Stuttgart 21” has heavily impacted rail traffic in the greater Stuttgart area.
The planned timetable concept also requires the use of high-acceleration railcars on the Frankfurt to Fulda route in regional traffic. The goal is to modify cycle times so that ICE trains from Mannheim to Berlin can connect to the ICE line from Munich to Hamburg in Fulda. This would result in a half-hourly service from Mannheim to Hamburg via Hanover, with only an hourly direct connection that requires no train changes. The other connection would require a change in Fulda.
Starting in December 2025, the 2026 timetable year will see an extended range of trains, including more direct trains from Mannheim to Munich. While the number of trains stopping in Mannheim will not significantly increase, there is currently an hourly direct ICE train from Mannheim to Munich. Since the opening of the new line from Wendlingen to Ulm, an additional ICE has been running every two hours from Dortmund via Mannheim to Munich. However, some scheduled trains have been affected by construction restrictions.
The new high-speed route from Wendlingen to Ulm has already reduced travel times by around ten to 15 minutes. When “Stuttgart 21” is completed, travel times will be further reduced, allowing for a half-hourly service between Mannheim and Munich. The ICE line from Hamburg to Munich, which currently terminates in Stuttgart, will be extended to facilitate this, resulting in a direct connection between Stuttgart and Munich without the need for train changes.
It’s great news to see Deutsche Bahn’s plans to extend their ICE service to Mannheim. This expansion will surely enhance connectivity and improve travel options for both locals and tourists. However, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges they might face in implementing such a massive project. Let’s hope the updates and improvements are executed smoothly to benefit all passengers.