Rail chaos in the Berlin area: RE1 will come to a standstill from Monday!

Rail chaos in the Berlin area: RE1 will come to a standstill from Monday!

From Monday, August 11, 2025, passengers on the RE1 regional express line must expect significant irregularities in rail traffic. The restrictions particularly affect the Berlin area and will last until August 19, 2025, around 11:00 p.m. Affected routes include the connections from Berlin-Wannsee to Frankfurt (Oder) and from Frankfurt (Oder) back to Berlin as well as the route to Brandenburg Hauptbahnhof and on to Magdeburg Hauptbahnhof. Loud rbb24 Cancellations, diversions, canceled stops and changed travel times are to be expected.

In addition, further disruption is expected on the section from Berlin-Charlottenburg in both directions to Frankfurt (Oder) and in the direction of Eisenhüttenstadt in the period from August 18, 2025, 4:40 a.m. to August 28, 2025, 5:00 a.m. In some cases there will also be alternative transport, but it will not be suitable for disabled people. Passengers are therefore expressly asked to find out about their connections online or via mobile apps before their departure.

Causes of the restrictions

The measures are the result of extensive construction work by DB InfraGO AG, which is part of a larger project that is scheduled to last until 2026. These construction measures also include the section between Berlin Ostbahnhof and Erkner, where train cancellations are also to be expected. During the period of disruption, RE1 trains will stop on the affected section a maximum of two times per hour. If those switching have a concern, they can go to the website ODEG inform, which provides additional information.

A replacement offer is in the form of S-Bahn trains on line S3 and remaining RE1 trains. During rush hour, additional trains are also offered between Frankfurt (Oder) and Erkner, although these only provide a reduced number of seats of 400. Despite these restrictions, the Fangschleuse station stop is served more frequently.

Long-term impacts on traffic

The current restrictions are part of a comprehensive program designed to support the development of local passenger transport and rail freight transport in the region. The VDV also noted the long-term challenges facing the industry in its annual report. This applies in particular to route capacities and the need to modernize and expand the infrastructure in order to meet future requirements.

Once the construction work is completed, Köpenick train station, which is currently badly affected, will function as a stop on the RE1 line. Passengers should keep themselves informed about changed travel times and further developments in order to be able to plan their trips accordingly.