Trains have resumed service from Munich to Holzkirchen
After a month-long closure due to faulty sleepers on seven switches in the Deisenhofen and Unterhaching areas, Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced the reopening of the railway line between Munich and Holzkirchen. The resumption of service will take place this afternoon, with Munich S-Bahn set to resume regular operations to Holzkirchen.
The closure of the route, which began in late June, has caused frustration among commuters, students, and day-trippers south of Munich. To manage the disruption, alternative transportation options such as buses and large taxis have been deployed to bridge the gap between Giesing and Holzkirchen. However, these alternatives are not expected to fully replace the usual rail service in terms of capacity and convenience for commuters and tourists.
The line's closure was prompted by switch damage discovered during a routine inspection by DB. For safety reasons, the line was shut down indefinitely, potentially until the end of July. Bayerische Regiobahn (BRB) will return with its full schedule from Friday.
DB InfraGO, a DB subsidiary, has completed switch repairs at Deisenhofen station, allowing the entire line to reopen for train traffic. New switches were installed, and DB InfraGO also temporarily installed straight tracks in Unterhaching to make the route passable.
Bavarian Minister of Transport Christian Bernreiter (CSU) expressed criticism over the closure and replacement traffic. Munich County also targeted the replacement bus service with criticism. The criticism stems from the perceived inadequacy of the alternative transportation options and the inconvenience caused to commuters and tourists.
Safety remains the top priority at DB. Regulations for concrete sleepers have been reviewed and tightened following a train derailment in Garmisch-Partenkirchen three years ago, which resulted in five fatalities due to worn-out sleepers. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining safety standards on all railway lines.
DB and BRB made the announcement about the resumption of service. Line S3 will resume regular service at around 3:30 PM. The Munich to Holzkirchen railway line is now open for travel, offering much-needed relief to commuters and tourists alike.
The reopening of the Munich to Holzkirchen railway line will likely have a positive impact on various industries in the region, such as finance and automotive, as the resumption of train service will ease commuting for workers and tourists, potentially boosting local businesses.
To accommodate the growing demand for transportation in light of the railway reopening, DB InfraGO and other stakeholders might consider investing in industry-wide improvements, ensuring a smooth journey for all passengers and fostering a positive travel experience in the future.
