European political body voices worry over the nation's current state.
In the heart of Germany, the much-anticipated Stuttgart 21 project is set to undergo a major opening in December 2026, introducing a new underground main station in Stuttgart[1][2][3][4]. While this development promises faster journeys and upgraded infrastructure, the project has been fraught with delays and disruptions that are affecting commuters, particularly those using the Gäubahn.
The Stuttgart 21 project, with its original costs set at 2.5 billion euros 30 years ago, has seen its construction costs balloon to 11.5 billion euros[5]. The ongoing construction, which will continue up to and beyond 2026, has caused significant delays and detours for commuters.
One such commuter is Eva Lang, who relies on the Gäubahn for her daily four-time weekly commute. The closure of the Gäubahn for an expected five years means Eva will have to switch to the S-Bahn, facing longer journey times[6]. The S-Bahn main line, too, will be closed for several weeks for rebuilding and digitizing, further adding to the inconvenience[7].
The S-Bahn's woes don't end there. Construction sites and a single-track section have caused delays and cancellations, adding to Eva's frustration[8]. The Vaihingen station, where commuters will soon have to change trains, is not designed to handle increased demand[9]. Changing trains at Vaihingen leads to crowds and a shortage of elevators, causing concern for increased demand[10].
The station at Vaihingen is part of the broader regional network connected to Stuttgart. The opening of Stuttgart 21 will alter traffic flows, possibly requiring commuters to adjust to new routing and platform arrangements[3][4]. However, precise changes at Herrenberg and Vaihingen stations have not been detailed in the sources.
When fully operational, Stuttgart 21 aims to reduce journey times and increase capacity. This should benefit commuters by providing faster, more direct routes and better connections, once construction phases and interruptions are complete. The full project completion is currently pushed toward 2027, so some commuter disruptions may persist until then[5].
However, the situation may worsen in the future. The line that connects commuters from Lake Constance and Switzerland directly to Stuttgart will temporarily end at Stuttgart-Vaihingen[11]. Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann (Greens) still considers Stuttgart 21 a wrong decision[12], adding to the uncertainty surrounding the project's future impact on commuters.
It's a challenging time for commuters like Eva Lang, who fears the situation could worsen in the future. The Stuttgart 21 project, while promising benefits in the long run, continues to pose challenges for commuters in the short term. Insiders say the project will probably be even more expensive[13], adding to the concerns of those affected by the construction.
[1] Stuttgart 21 [2] Stuttgart 21: The underground station will be opened at the end of 2026 [3] Stuttgart 21: The expansion of the S-Bahn [4] Stuttgart 21: The new station will be opened in December 2026 [5] Stuttgart 21: The project is behind schedule and over budget [6] The Gäubahn is set to be closed for an expected five years [7] The S-Bahn main line will be closed for several weeks for the fifth time this summer for rebuilding and digitizing [8] Eva Lang regularly arrives late for work due to train delays [9] Vaihingen station, where commuters will soon have to change trains, is not designed to handle increased demand [10] Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann (Greens) still considers Stuttgart 21 a wrong decision [11] Insiders say: It will probably be even more expensive [12] Construction sites and a single-track section have caused delays and cancellations [13] Eva Lang finds the closure of the Gäubahn for five years unacceptable [14] Eva Lang's train regularly experiences delays and cancellations [15] Eva Lang fears the situation could worsen in the future [16] The line that connects commuters from Lake Constance and Switzerland directly to Stuttgart will temporarily end at Stuttgart-Vaihingen
The ongoing construction of Stuttgart 21, a major infrastructure project in Germany, has led to increased costs, estimated to be 11.5 billion euros, and caused significant disruptions for commuters, such as Eva Lang, who rely on trains like the Gäubahn for their daily commute. The closure of the Gäubahn for an expected five years will force Eva to switch to the S-Bahn, potentially leading to longer journey times and increased inconvenience, as the S-Bahn main line will also be closed for several weeks for rebuilding and digitizing. The delays and cancellations on the S-Bahn, compounded by a single-track section and the lack of an adequately designed Vaihingen station to handle increased demand, further add to Eva's frustration. The line that connects commuters from Lake Constance and Switzerland directly to Stuttgart will temporarily end at Stuttgart-Vaihingen, potentially worsening the situation in the future.
