Railways takeover underway will function as a trial run, as stated by the Mayor. - Mayor expresses railway modernization as a growing burden
In the picturesque city of Wittenberge, the upcoming general overhaul of the Hamburg-Berlin railway line is both a significant challenge and a huge opportunity. The independent Mayor, Oliver Hermann, has expressed his views on the matter in an interview on RBB "Inforadio."
The overhaul, which is set to take place from August 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, will see Deutsche Bahn (DB) close the 278-kilometre line, including the Wittenberge section, for extensive renovations affecting long-distance and regional traffic.
Mayor Hermann believes that the next nine months will be a tough stretch for Wittenberge due to the railway line overhaul. However, he also sees it as an opportunity for the city's future. "This major project will present both opportunities and challenges," he said.
To address the longer travel times and maintain connectivity, alternative travel solutions have been put in place. Long-distance trains between Hamburg and Berlin will be diverted to maintain direct connections, with routes via Lübeck for trains continuing to or from Rostock and Stralsund. Regional rail service will be replaced by a comprehensive bus substitution involving more than 170 replacement buses on affected sections, including Wittenberge–Perleberg–Osterburg and other branch lines impacted by the closure.
Real-time travel information and updates on departures will be provided through DB Navigator, bahn.de, and regional transit apps to assist commuters in planning and adjusting their journeys. Passengers holding tickets for routes during the disruption are afforded flexibility, such as the ability to use tickets on alternative routes or delay travel without penalty under existing tariffs and passenger rights.
In summary, commuters during the overhaul must rely on a combination of rerouted long-distance trains, extensive bus replacement services on regional corridors, and real-time travel information tools to manage extended travel times and maintain access across the Hamburg-Berlin corridor.
As Wittenberge prepares for the railway line overhaul, Mayor Hermann remains optimistic about the city's future. "I believe that this is a significant opportunity for our city," he said. "We will navigate these next nine months with resilience and determination, and I am confident that we will emerge stronger on the other side."
The forthcoming railway line overhaul in Wittenberge, which falls under the city's community policy, presents both challenges and opportunities for employment within the industry of transportation, particularly finance, as alternative travel solutions are being implemented.
Mayor Hermann's optimism about Wittenberge's future, expressed during the RBB "Inforadio" interview, highlights the potential for employment growth in the transportation sector due to this major project.
