Scheduled Resumption of Train Services from Munich to Upper Region - Train services scheduled to commence from Munich to Oberland.
In mid-June 2025, a temporary closure of the train line between Munich and Holzkirchen occurred due to damages to several railway switches at the Deisenhofen station. This closure, which remains in effect "until further notice," has caused the complete suspension of train traffic on the route, including the S3 line of the Munich S-Bahn.
The closure significantly impacts commuters and travelers in Upper Bavaria, as the line serves as a key connection from Munich to popular alpine destinations such as Tegernsee, Schliersee, Bad Tölz, Bayrischzell, Lenggries, and the surrounding mountainous region. Without direct train service, people cannot travel conveniently by rail to these areas, disrupting daily commuting as well as leisure travel plans, especially during the summer.
The private operator Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) has blamed Deutsche Bahn InfraGO, the infrastructure manager responsible for track and signal maintenance, for the sudden closure due to the switch damages. The Bavarian Minister of Transport, Christian Bernreiter (CSU), and Munich County have expressed criticism over the closure and the replacement transport.
In an effort to mitigate the situation, the replacement buses are now running every 20 minutes between Giesing and Holzkirchen. However, the hastily organized large-capacity taxis and buses continue to cause difficulties for students and commuters, particularly due to insufficient space and irregular schedules.
Despite these challenges, it is hoped that S-Bahn line S3 will be running on the northern section to Deisenhofen a week earlier, on July 10. Other switches will be replaced with new ones, with the railway's switch and crossing plant having accelerated production for this purpose. Some damaged switches will initially be replaced with straight tracks to make the line passable for trains.
It is also anticipated that the Bayerische Regiobahn's regional trains will be able to run regularly to the Upper Bavaria region again after the resumption, which is expected to occur on July 17, Thursday. However, additional disruptions are expected around early July due to local events like the Tegernsee Triathlon, which will cause further schedule changes and road closures along the route.
The closure of the line has caused significant frustration among commuters, students, and tourists south of Munich. The Bavarian Minister of Transport, Christian Bernreiter (CSU), and Munich County continue to express criticism over the closure and the replacement transport.
The Commission may find it necessary to investigate the role of infrastructure managers in the railway industry, such as Deutsche Bahn InfraGO, in ensuring the equal treatment of commuters and travelers during disruptions like the current one on the train line between Munich and Holzkirchen. In the midst of this, financial institutions might consider providing grants or loans to private operators like Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) to improve their resources and response capabilities in delivering efficient alternative transport during unforeseen incidents.
