TL;DR
A passenger on RE5 from Cologne experienced a major detour on December 24, 2024, when the train bypassed Troisdorf and continued to Neuwied after being told it was not registered for the station. The trip ended with a small calculated compensation of €1.50 and raised questions about punctuality metrics and passenger communications at Deutsche Bahn.
What happened
On December 24, 2024 the author boarded RE5 (ID 28521) at Cologne Hauptbahnhof, scheduled to depart 15:32 and arrive Bonn 15:54 on a short, 35 km journey to Meckenheim. The train was initially about twenty minutes late and the driver announced unspecified "issues around Bonn," offering alternatives including a subway detour. The passenger chose to continue toward Troisdorf where a relative was waiting. Approaching Troisdorf the driver returned with a new announcement: the train was not registered for the Troisdorf tracks and therefore could not stop. The service continued past fifteen intermediate stations and terminated in Neuwied, roughly 63 km from the intended destination. The author looked up delay compensation and found a calculated payment of €1.50, below the platform's minimum payout threshold of €4.00. The piece also cites Deutsche Bahn reporting rules: arrivals are "on time" if under six minutes late and completely cancelled trains are excluded from punctuality statistics.
Why it matters
- Passengers can be significantly displaced from planned journeys, causing missed connections and additional travel time.
- Official compensation amounts and minimum payout thresholds can leave travelers with negligible or no reimbursement for disruptions.
- Punctuality metrics that exclude cancelled trains or use a six‑minute threshold may understate systemic service issues.
- Limited announcements and language choice on-board can increase confusion for non-German speakers affected by service changes.
Key facts
- Incident date: December 24, 2024.
- Train: RE5, ID 28521; boarded at Cologne Main Station, platform 9 D-G.
- Scheduled departure 15:32, scheduled arrival in Bonn 15:54; initial delay reported around twenty minutes.
- Driver announced "issues around Bonn" and later that the train was not registered for Troisdorf station, so it could not stop.
- Passengers passed fifteen stations between Troisdorf and Neuwied before the train stopped in Neuwied.
- Intended journey distance was about 35 km; after the detour the author was approximately 63 km from the original destination.
- Calculated delay compensation found by the author: €1.50; minimum payout threshold mentioned: €4.00.
- Deutsche Bahn punctuality definition cited: a stop counts as on time if later by less than six minutes.
- A Bundesrechnungshof report is cited noting that completely cancelled trains are not included in punctuality statistics.
What to watch next
- not confirmed in the source: whether Deutsche Bahn will change its compensation thresholds or payout procedures in response to similar incidents.
- not confirmed in the source: whether DB will revise how track registrations and station stop permissions are coordinated to avoid bypassing scheduled stops.
- not confirmed in the source: any formal investigations, regulatory responses, or passenger-class actions arising from this and comparable disruptions.
Quick glossary
- Deutsche Bahn (DB): Germany's national railway company, operating regional and long-distance passenger services as well as freight.
- RE (Regional-Express): A category of regional train service in Germany that stops at fewer stations than local S-Bahn or regional trains, used for medium-distance trips.
- Punctuality metric: A statistical measure used by transit operators to report how often services meet scheduled times; definitions of "on time" vary by operator.
- Delay compensation: Refunds or credits offered to passengers when journeys exceed certain delay thresholds, subject to the operator's rules and payout limits.
Reader FAQ
How much compensation did the author find?
The author found a calculated compensation amount of €1.50, with a stated minimum payout threshold of €4.00.
Why didn't the train stop at Troisdorf?
The driver announced the train was not registered for the Troisdorf tracks and therefore could not stop.
How does Deutsche Bahn define 'on time'?
According to the cited Deutsche Bahn annual report, an arrival is considered on time if it is less than six minutes late.
Were cancelled trains counted in punctuality statistics?
The Bundesrechnungshof report cited in the piece states that completely cancelled trains are not included in punctuality measurements.
Did Deutsche Bahn issue an official response to this incident?
not confirmed in the source
I Was Kidnapped by Deutsche Bahn and All I Got Was 1.50 EUR 2025-12-28 If you live in Germany, you have been treated like livestock by Deutsche Bahn (DB). Almost…
Sources
- Kidnapped by Deutsche Bahn
- Gladbeck hostage crisis
- GAO-07-15, Intercity Passenger Rail: National Policy and …
- Richard Glazar – Treblinka – USHMM Collections
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