Westfalenbahn to operate RE 34 line starting December 2026

Westfalenbahn will take over the operation of the RE 34 regional express line on the Ruhr-Sieg route from DB Regio beginning with the December 2026 timetable change. The company won a 14-year contract following a European-wide tender process conducted by Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL) and the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).

The service, known as the ‘Dortmund-Siegerland-Express’, will connect Dortmund and Siegen via Witten, Letmathe, and Finnentrop, serving approximately 20 stops. The new schedule aims to provide hourly service, expanding options for commuters and students. The 132-kilometer route covers areas within both the NWL and VRR regions.

To modernize the fleet, Westfalenbahn plans to initially deploy Siemens-Mireo-Smart trains featuring air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and barrier-free access. Starting in late 2027, these will be supplemented by Stadler FLIRT³ trainsets. While current bridge repairs and construction work in the Olpe district have caused disruptions, Westfalenbahn has stated it will provide replacement bus services if the tracks are not fully operational by the transition date.