Stuttgart 21: Deutsche Bahn reportedly plans commissioning only for late 2031

Deutsche Bahn declined to confirm the reports on request. A company spokesperson merely stated that Deutsche Bahn does not comment on such speculation. "Die DB wird die Öffentlichkeit nach dem Stuttgart-21-Lenkungskreis Ende Juni über das neue Inbetriebnahmekonzept des Projekts informieren," the company said. It therefore remains unclear whether the cited date will be officially confirmed or whether it is a matter of advance speculation from the environment of the project participants.

What is known so far

According to the information available, the Steering Committee meeting, at which the project partners — the federal government, the state, the city and Deutsche Bahn — will discuss the state of affairs, is scheduled for 26 June. Only after that does Deutsche Bahn intend to address the public with an official statement. Until then, the report on the new date remains unconfirmed.

For the people of Stuttgart, delays in the project have long been part of everyday life. The opening date originally announced for 2019 has already been pushed back several times. With a further delay of several years, the burden on local residents, the construction industry and taxpayers would increase further.

The through-station is the centerpiece of the Stuttgart 21 project, in which the existing terminus station is being converted into an underground through-station. The project is tied to numerous other structures, including tunnel sections, the airport connection and links to the new line to Ulm. A postponement of commissioning therefore affects the entire regional and long-distance rail network.

Background of the project

It remains unclear what specific reasons are being given for the renewed delay. In the past, planning changes, legal disputes, rising construction costs and technical challenges in tunnel construction have, among other things, led to postponements. Whether any of these factors is also responsible for the newly reported date has been left open by media reports so far.

The reports also provided no concrete figures on the additional costs that would be associated with a postponement. The project is already considered one of the most expensive infrastructure undertakings in Germany. An updated cost projection is likewise not expected until after the Steering Committee meeting.

What comes next

Politically, the issue is likely to gain momentum immediately after Deutsche Bahn's official statement. The Baden-Württemberg state government, the City of Stuttgart and the federal government as funder are represented on the Steering Committee. Critics of the project have repeatedly called in the past for a complete halt or a fundamental replanning. Supporters point to the transport benefits of a continuous connection.

Until 26 June, it is considered likely that Deutsche Bahn will not comment on individual dates. Only after the meeting of the project partners is the company expected to provide reliable information to the public, according to its own statements.