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New signal box at Ostbahnhof: S-Bahn passengers have to be patient!
On June 2, 2025, the electronic signal box at the Ostbahnhof in Munich will be put into operation after four years of construction to improve S-Bahn traffic.
New signal box at Ostbahnhof: S-Bahn passengers have to be patient!
There is news in Munich that affects many commuters and passengers: After almost four years of construction, the commissioning of the new electronic signal box (ESTW) at Ostbahnhof is just around the corner. The first step in the planned reduction of delays in the S-Bahn network will take place in several stages and will entail restrictions in S-Bahn traffic for a good two weeks Mercury reported.
The conversion of the signal box, which replaces the old relay signal box from 1971, has already been delayed by two years and will now officially go into operation on June 6, 2025. Before that, from Friday at 10:30 p.m., S-Bahn traffic on the main route around the Ostbahnhof will be completely stopped, before a shuttle service between Laim and Isartor will be set up from Saturday morning at 5 a.m.
Planned traffic restrictions
Overall, S-Bahn traffic will be noticeably affected during this transition period. From June 6th, all tracks will be accessible again, but with a quarter less S-Bahn traffic. Lines S1 and S5 will not run on the main route, while S2, S3 and S8 will operate without booster trains. If everything goes according to plan, a return to normality is expected from June 19th with up to 1,300 train journeys per day.
The punctuality of the S-Bahn suffered a setback last year. In 2024, the rate fell to just 87%, with 60% of disruptions caused by broken infrastructure. The old Ostbahnhof signal box in particular was not uninvolved, responsible for 140 out of 1,500 disruptions to the control and safety technology in 2021.
The importance of the construction work
The commissioning of the ESTW is part of Deutsche Bahn's comprehensive “S3” renovation program, which is intended to improve the infrastructure by 2027. The extensive acceptance tests are essential to ensure smooth operation. The first restrictions were already in place in November and December 2023 and it is recommended to check the timetables regularly on the Deutsche Bahn website.
The two new buildings at Ostbahnhof and Leuchtenbergring will in future take over the control of switches and signals. Completion is expected to take 8,000 hours of acceptance testing. The DB has also announced further construction work in parts of the S-Bahn network for the coming weekends, some of which may lead to significant restrictions.
Passengers should prepare for alternative means of transport on MVV during this changeover phase. These include regional trains between Pasing and the main station as well as subway and tram connections that can be used to make bypasses easier.
Those responsible and passengers hope that the new systems will not only increase punctuality, but also shorten the overall travel time for commuters S-Bahn Berlin demonstrated in similar projects.
The transition period may be challenging, but the end goal is clear: a more efficient and punctual S-Bahn network for all Munich residents. So mark June 26th in your calendar - then the ceremony for the official commissioning will take place, at which Prime Minister Markus Söder and DB Infrastructure Director Berthold Huber will also be present.