DB Regio, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, will continue operating regional train services in central Bavaria following its successful bid in the competitive tender process for the Isar-Noris-Altmühl network. The Bavarian Railway Company (BEG) has awarded DB Regio the contract, ensuring operations on key routes—including the RE 1 express service between Munich and Nuremberg—until the end of December 2040.
Bavarian Transport Minister and BEG Supervisory Board Chairman Christian Bernreiter emphasised the state’s commitment to rail investment, stating: “We are increasing services on this network by six percent to 6.4 million train kilometres annually, despite financial challenges. The biggest improvement will be the introduction of an hourly regional express service between Munich, Ingolstadt, and Nuremberg, sending a strong signal to passengers.”
BEG Managing Director Bärbel Fuchs highlighted the network’s significance, saying: “These regional trains connect four of Bavaria’s largest cities. By the end of 2028, we will close the remaining gaps in the hourly timetable, ensuring a more consistent service. The new Siemens Desiro HC trains, which have already proven successful on the Nuremberg–Coburg–Erfurt high-speed route, will significantly enhance reliability.”
DB Regio in Bavaria: New trains and enhanced services
Under the new contract, DB Regio will introduce seven new Siemens Desiro HC trains for the RE 1 Munich–Ingolstadt–Nuremberg service. These high-speed trains, designed for pressures at speeds of up to 190 km/h, will operate on the high-speed corridor between Nuremberg and Ingolstadt, where they must withstand tunnel pressure effects when passing ICE trains.
The RE 1 service, which currently runs predominantly every two hours, will shift to an hourly frequency across the full Munich–Ingolstadt–Nuremberg route from late 2028. BEG confirmed that “this commitment was made in the coalition agreement, and we are delivering on it.”
For the RB 16 (Munich–Ingolstadt–Treuchtlingen–Nuremberg) and RE 60 (Augsburg–Treuchtlingen–Nuremberg) lines, DB Regio will continue operating Twindexx double-decker trains, supplemented by six additional four-car units. The RE 16 service will be rebranded as RE 60 to avoid confusion with the RB 16, which shares part of the route.
Service levels will remain largely unchanged on the other routes within the tendered network. However, additional weekday trains between Treuchtlingen/Weißenburg and Nuremberg will create a half-hourly frequency during peak periods. Extra trains will also be introduced on the Munich–Ingolstadt corridor during rush hours.
From December 2029, BEG will deploy longer trains—featuring eight or ten double-decker carriages instead of the current six—on peak-hour services to and from Munich and Nuremberg, increasing seating capacity to accommodate rising passenger demand.
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