Drastic timetable changes: train reductions in Südbrandenburg!

Drastic timetable changes: train reductions in Südbrandenburg!

Cottbus, Deutschland - A major upheaval is imminent for regional traffic in Südbrandenburg: On December 14, 2025, there will be comprehensive changes in the timetable. These adjustments are related to the more tense financial situation of the State of Brandenburg, which means that some connections and travel times have to be reduced or even completely deleted. [Niederlausitz Aktuell] (https://www.niederlausitz-aktuell.de/niederlausitz-aktuell/cottbus/296607/Bahnplancht-tt-t-- also-suedbrandenburg-kuendigt-aendungen-an.html) reports that the rail connections to Elsterwerda, Falkenberg and Senftenberg are particularly affected become.

The planned changes aim to strengthen the main lines while less used marginal connections are set. The RB62 regional railway line is completely discontinued, and there are also massive restrictions on the RB27 (Basdorf -Wensickendorf) and the RB36 (Beeskow - Frankfurt (Oder)). The RB27 will only run in the morning and evening hours on weekdays, while the RB36 only runs every two hours after 8 p.m. The connection according to Stettin (RB66) is also reduced, which could significantly influence mobility in the region. [RBB24] (https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/-2025/06/bahnplanchen- Regionalverkehr-2026-VBB-brandenburg.html) explains the background of these measures that can be attributed to the insufficient regulations and the increasing operating costs.

extensive timetable changes

The details in the timetable are diverse and primarily affect the daily commuters. For example, the early connection of the RB43 to Cottbus at 3:46 a.m. from Monday to Friday, and the connection is canceled at 4:47 a.m. at the weekend. In addition, the return trip from Cottbus at 11:03 p.m., while the connection of the RB49 between Falkenberg and Senftenberg is also set in the evening, which has an important effect on the last trips of the day. However, selective improvements are introduced in the main traffic times, including an additional hourly time of the RB 20 between Cottbus and Berlin, which also offers a connection to the airport.

The regional express line re8 will run every week between Berlin and Elsterwerda from December, whereas direct connections from Finsterwalde to Berlin will be omitted. VBB indicates that a new Dresdner railway shortens the travel time to Berlin Hbf to about 1.5 hours, which could be improvement for many commuters. In Cottbus, a new line name R20 for additional trains between Berlin and Lübbenau is also introduced, which increases train traffic almost to a 30-minute cycle, which is a positive signal for commuters.

significant effects for the commuters

The new regulations also have an impact on the use of VBB tickets. From December 14, 2025, they will lose their validity on long -distance trains from Deutsche Bahn, for example on the Berlin - Elsterwerda and Berlin - Potsdam - Cottbus routes. This could be an unpleasant surprise for many travelers, especially for those who rely on the flexibility of public transport.

It is clear that Brandenburg's traffic planning faces major challenges. Transport Minister Detlef Tabbert emphasizes the need for more targeted financing in order to maintain mobility in the region. Ultimately, the measures could help to reduce the few marginal traffic, but the economic operation will no longer be presented with fewer than ten passengers per trip.