Deutsche Bahn shuts Obertraubling‑Passau corridor for months in major Bavarian upgrade

From 14 June 2026 the Deutsche Bahn (DB) began a six‑month full closure of the Obertraubling‑Passau railway corridor in Bavaria, part of the second phase of its nationwide "Generalsanierung" programme. The works will replace about 120 km of track, 140 switches and 90 km of overhead lines, modernise eight stations for barrier‑free access, and install new signalling and ETCS control systems. The total investment is around €1.3 billion.

During the closure DB and the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft provide a replacement bus service with 90 purple‑liveried buses operating on six lines. All regional services on the section are replaced by buses, and long‑distance trains between Nürnberg/Regensburg and Passau (and onward to Vienna) are cancelled, with passengers advised to travel via Munich or other alternative routes. Full rail service is scheduled to resume by the timetable change on 12 December 2026.

The disruption affects major towns such as Straubing, Plattling, Deggendorf and Passau, and includes temporary single‑track operation for freight traffic. Information points and a mobile info‑van are deployed along the line to keep travellers updated.