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Gigantic track renovation: rail passengers between Berlin and Hamburg affected!
From August 2025, rail traffic between Berlin and Hamburg will be replaced by extensive SEV bus routes due to track renovations.
Gigantic track renovation: rail passengers between Berlin and Hamburg affected!
From August 2025 to April 2026, rail traffic between Berlin and Hamburg will be completely closed for extensive track renovation work. Up to 30,000 passengers use this important connection every day, which is considered one of the busiest routes in Germany. Deutsche Bahn has therefore organized an extensive rail replacement service (SEV) with buses in order to continue to transport passengers. MAZ Online provides information about the details of the bus routes that will be set up in Prignitz, Ostprignitz-Ruppin and Havelland.
The rail replacement service is supported by a fleet of up to 173 buses on 26 routes, providing a daily service of around 86,000 kilometers during peak times. However, travelers should note that bicycles cannot be taken on board and tickets are not sold on the bus. To avoid complications, a valid ticket is required. Another plus: The SEV buses are not only barrier-free, but also offer WiFi and large information boards to keep passengers up to date.
The SEV lines at a glance
Here are some of the key SEV lines that will be operational during the lockdown:
- SEV-Linie X4 Wittenberge – Brieselang: Abfahrt Wittenberge Bahnhof von 3.10 Uhr bis 23.20 Uhr, alle 30 Minuten.
- SEV-Linie R Kyritz – Seegefeld: Abfahrt Kyritz Bahnhof von 2.58 Uhr bis 23.30 Uhr, ebenfalls alle 30 Minuten.
- SEV-Linie S Quitzow – Kyritz: Abfahrt Quitzow B5 von 5.35 Uhr bis 23.35 Uhr, alle 60 Minuten.
- SEV-Linie F Dallgow-Döberitz – Falkensee: Abfahrten um 0.16 Uhr und 2.42 Uhr zur Runde nach Falkensee Bahnhof.
- SEV-Linie T Osterburg – Quitzow: Abfahrt Osterburg Bahnhof von 4.39 Uhr bis 22.34 Uhr, etwa alle 60 Minuten.
- SEV-Linie X8 Schwerin – Perleberg: Abfahrt Schwerin Hauptbahnhof von 5.59 Uhr bis 22.59 Uhr, alle 60 Minuten.
- SEV-Linie X9 Schwerin – Quitzow: Abfahrt Schwerin Bahnhof Süd von 5.35 Uhr bis 20.35 Uhr, stündlich.
The details of the connections and travel times are on vbb.de updated so that users can always keep an eye on the information.
A challenge for travelers
The track renovation work is part of a larger project for the general renovation of 41 heavily frequented corridors, which not only includes the replacement of 180 kilometers of track and around 200 switches, but also the modernization of 28 stations along the route. However, these large-scale projects are not without challenges, as rerouting long-distance trains via Stendal, Uelzen and Salzwedel will mean a longer travel time of around 45 minutes. World Online highlights that Metin Hakverdi, a rapporteur in the Committee on Budgets, stressed the importance of carrying out this necessary work quickly and on time.
This means a certain amount of adjustment effort for all travelers between Berlin and Hamburg. Nevertheless, this measure will improve the quality and punctuality of rail transport in the long term, which ultimately benefits all passengers.