Germany's Transport Minister Criticizes Deutsche Bahn Amid UEFA Chaos

Germany’s transport minister Volker Wissing criticized Deutsche Bahn for failing to manage rail travel during the UEFA European Championship, citing packed trains and travel disruptions. Heavy rains and infrastructure issues compounded the problems. Deutsche Bahn acknowledged challenges in maintaining punctuality with its outdated rail system.

Germany's Transport Minister Volker Wissing has slammed national rail operator Deutsche Bahn for its performance during the UEFA European Championship. Football fans endured travel chaos, with lengthy disruptions and packed trains, falling short of German standards, Wissing told Welt am Sonntag in an interview.

Wissing criticized Deutsche Bahn's pledge to add 10,000 train seats daily during the tournament, calling it over-ambitious. He pointed out that the ageing network could not handle the extra capacity, exacerbated by heavy rains and summer storms that closed fan zones and paused matches.

The Euro tournament highlighted ongoing issues with Germany’s rail infrastructure. Deutsche Bahn’s internal assessment acknowledged limited possibilities due to its outdated system, as the country faces international scrutiny over its efficiency. The company has yet to comment.