RE6 between Leipzig and Chemnitz: Buses and detours due to delayed battery trains

Restrictions at a glance

The focus is on the section between Chemnitz and Geithain. "Züge zwischen Chemnitz und Geithain entfallen ab 19:21 Uhr Leipzig Hbf", the statement says. In the evening hours, trains between Chemnitz and Geithain would also be "komplett durch Busse ersetzt". Travellers must therefore prepare for longer journey times and changes.

According to MRB, the stop at Bad Lausick is dropped during this period, "Ersatzbusse sind geplant". Bad Lausick is thus one of the most affected stops. Passengers are asked to check the VMS noticeboards and digital information channels.

Bad Lausick without a stop

Another consequence: every second RE6 service "und kommt elf Minutern früher in Leipzig an". This shifts the interval times for numerous commuters who usually travel between the two cities late in the evening. Travellers should check their connections at the Leipzig Hbf hub.

Detour via Borna

To ease the bottleneck, MRB is using the electrified route via Borna. "Alle zwei Stunden wird der RE6 zwischen Leipzig Hbf und Geithain über Borna umgeleitet", the statement says. "Den Betreibern zufolge werden zwischen Leipzig und Geithain einige Züge auf die elektrifizierte Strecke über Borna umgeleitet, wo sie während der Fahrt laden" – "und so die Ladezeit im Chemnitzer Hauptbahnhof verkürzen könnten".

Background: delayed battery trains

The measure is due to a delay in vehicle procurement. "Die MRB wollte eigentlich auf der Strecke Leipzig - Chemnitz viel früher Akkuzüge rollen lassen. Doch bei der Lieferung gab es Verzögerungen." "Als Grund werden Verzögerungen bei der Lieferung der neuen Akkuzüge genannt." As a result, MRB currently lacks sufficient vehicles on the line, which is not continuously electrified, to operate the regular service without charging windows.

The Chemnitz–Leipzig route has been considered one of the so-called problem routes in central German regional transport for years. With the temporary concept of detours, changed times and buses, MRB aims to maintain operations until the new vehicles are fully commissioned. According to the company, passengers must prepare "auf der Problemstrecke Chemnitz-Leipzig wieder auf Einschränkungen einstellen", "ab Sonntag sollen einige Züge der Linie RE6 eine Woche lang zu veränderten Zeiten rollen".

On the day of the announcement, MRB and VMS emphasised that this is a temporary solution. With the modified timetable and the replacement service between Chemnitz and Geithain, the worst effects of the delivery backlog are to be cushioned until new battery trains can enter scheduled service.