Disruption in train travel from Dusseldorf to Duisburg - Disrupted rail service between Düsseldorf and Duisburg
In the aftermath of a suspected sabotage fire on July 31, 2025, a replacement bus service has been established to cover affected train routes between Düsseldorf and Duisburg. The disruptions are causing significant impacts on both regional and long-distance train traffic, including ICE lines to Berlin and Frankfurt am Main.
The zuginfo.nrw portal has reported that the faulty signal box is causing disruptions in train traffic between Düsseldorf and Duisburg. As a result, the S1 suburban railway line and several regional lines, including RE1, RE5, RE6, RE11, RE19, and RE2, are affected. These trains are starting and ending earlier than usual, with stops between Düsseldorf and Duisburg not being served.
The entire area around Duisburg-Großenbaum in the south of the Ruhr region is currently not passable due to the disruptions, affecting connections to North Germany, South Germany, and the Netherlands. Duisburg and Düsseldorf are among the affected cities.
In regional traffic, the S1 suburban railway line and several regional lines are affected. The regional express lines RE1, RE5, RE6, and RE19 are being diverted. The railway company has reported train cancellations, diversions, and delays of up to 30 minutes due to the disruptions.
Regarding long-distance connections, especially those towards Berlin, Frankfurt am Main, northern and southern Germany, and the Netherlands:
- Long-distance services are heavily impacted, with widespread delays and cancellations on the north-south axis of Deutsche Bahn, affecting all major destinations accessed via Düsseldorf and Duisburg.
- For routes towards the Netherlands and northern Germany, international trains on the Arnhem-Duisburg-Düsseldorf corridor are affected by ongoing maintenance and replacement buses between Arnhem Centraal and Oberhausen Hbf, with additional bus services from Emmerich to Wesel and Oberhausen Hbf. ICE International services are rerouted via Venlo instead of the usual border crossing, causing an estimated extra travel time of about 45 minutes.
- Passengers traveling to/from Frankfurt am Main and Berlin should anticipate significant delays or cancellations and are advised to seek alternatives or use the replacement buses on the regional segments where applicable; however, no detailed bus schedule for these long-distance direct segments has been published yet.
Replacement bus services are in operation between Düsseldorf Airport and Duisburg Central Station, as well as between the main stations of the two cities. Passengers are strongly encouraged to consult official Deutsche Bahn announcements and station information for real-time updates and exact bus stop locations during this period of disruption.
| Service Type | Replacement/Impact | Notes | |--------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Regional (RE 6/6X) | Bus replacement Düsseldorf–Duisburg–Essen | Effective 1 to 3 August (per timetable), bus stops may differ from train platforms[1] | | Long-distance (Berlin, Frankfurt, N/S Germany) | Major disruptions and delays; no full bus replacement | Travelers advised to expect delays and check updates[2][4] | | International (Netherlands) | Buses between Arnhem Centraal and Oberhausen Hbf, rerouted ICE Intl via Venlo | Extra 45 min travel time, altered stops[3] |
[1] https://www.deutschebahn.com/timetable-changes/2025-07-27/ [2] https://www.zuginfo.nrw/ [3] https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/travel-information/disruptions/current-disruptions/
- In an attempt to mitigate the impact of the ongoing train disruptions, the community has proposed a temporary policy to provide vocational training for displaced workers in industries like transportation and finance, aimed at quick employment and less financial burden.
- Given the significant delays and cancellations in long-distance train services, especially those heading towards Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, the city authorities are considering vocational training programs in the transportation sector to prepare students for job opportunities in the industry, ensuring continuity and stability during such unforeseen circumstances.
