FAQ

Questions and Answers

All answers to the most important questions about the oberpfalzbahn. If you have any further questions, our customer service center is always available to assist you.

General Information

Who is the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG)?

The Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft is a company owned by the Free State of Bavaria. Acting on behalf of the State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Transport and Technology, the BEG plans, finances, and oversees local rail passenger transport (SPNV) in Bavaria.

What does the BEG do?

The key responsibilities of the BEG include the design and improvement of timetables, as well as quality assurance within Bavaria’s local rail passenger transport (SPNV). In addition, the BEG tenders transport services for which various railway companies submit their proposals. The bid offering the best combination of price and quality is awarded the contract and appointed as the operator. We, as Die Länderbahn GmbH DLB, operate daily rail services with our products as the contracted operator. We provide rolling stock and personnel and ensure punctuality, cleanliness, and customer service.

Who decides on timetables and routes?

The timetables and routes are determined by the BEG. We operate in accordance with these specifications and contribute our expertise to their implementation. For day‑to‑day operations, however, we as Die Länderbahn GmbH DLB — with our Bavarian product brands alex, oberpfalzbahn, and waldbahn — are independently responsible.

Who determines when and how often the trains run, and how many seats are available?

The Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG) is responsible for planning, organizing, and financing local rail passenger transport (SPNV) in Bavaria. Since these are public transport services, they are put out to tender, and the most economically advantageous bid is awarded the contract. These tendering procedures generally take place three to five years in advance, as the procurement of rolling stock requires corresponding lead time. The tender documents specify detailed minimum requirements, such as the number of train services to be operated, the number of seats per service, specific comfort features of the trains, and much more. Die Länderbahn GmbH DLB consistently implements these BEG requirements, including the timetable and the number of seats offered.

What is the difference between EV and BNV?

EV stands for “Ersatzverkehr” (replacement transport). It is used in cases of medium- and long-term planned service disruptions. For example, when DB InfraGO announces construction works well in advance, we are able to organize buses for replacement services accordingly.

BNV, or “Busnotverkehr” (emergency bus transport), is required whenever very short‑notice disruptions need to be substituted by buses — for instance, when tracks become unusable due to storm damage.

What are special trains?

Special trains are additional services operated on days with exceptionally high travel demand, such as public holidays, major events (e.g., Oktoberfest), or sporting events, in order to accommodate increased passenger volumes. They are integrated into the timetable and can be booked as regular services. However, the decision to deploy special trains is not made by us but requires approval and an official order from the respective contracting authority.

Media Inquiries and Press Requests

Am I allowed to take photos, videos or audio recordings on the train?

Yes, for private purposes – as long as no persons (employees or other passengers) are recorded without their explicit and documented consent. More information can be found in our conditions of carriage.

How can I contact the press office?

Our press office is available to journalists for all media and press enquiries. All contact information and the latest press releases can be found under ‘Press’.

Tickets and Fares

Which tickets are valid on the oberpfalzbahn?

The Deutschlandtarif applies on the oberpfalzbahn. This means that even when continuing your journey with other railway companies, only one ticket is required for the entire route. You can find the appropriate ticket here.

In the trains of the Oberpfalzbahn, network tickets from the RVV, VGN and VLC transport associations are accepted. For journeys within a transport association’s area, only the tickets of that specific association are valid. If required, please validate all network tickets before starting your journey.

Where is the Deutschland-Ticket valid?

The Deutschland-Ticket can be used throughout Germany for unlimited travel on all local and regional transport services, such as RB, RE and S-Bahn trains (SPNV), as well as on public transport services including buses, trams, underground trains, etc. (ÖPNV) offered by participating regional tariffs, transport associations and transport companies, according to their respective validity areas and conditions. This applies regardless of which transport company, association or regional tariff is printed on the ticket.

The Deutschland-Ticket is not valid for journeys outside Germany, such as to Pilsen or Prague.

Can I buy my ticket directly on the train?

From 14 December 2025, it will no longer be possible to purchase tickets on board Oberpfalzbahn trains. Tickets can be purchased either directly online, in advance at ticket machines, or at our service points. More information can be found under ‘Ticket purchase’.

Where can I buy tickets in advance?

Tickets can be purchased at our service points, at ticket machines along the route, or directly online. More information can be found under ‘Ticket purchase’.

Is my ticket also valid for the next train if my original train is cancelled?

If an oberpfalzbahn service is cancelled, we regret the inconvenience. In this case, the ticket is not tied to a specific train connection and can be used for the next available local train on the same route without any additional confirmation from the customer service centre.

Traveling with the oberpfalzbahn

How should I behave during an unscheduled stop while the train is in motion?

An unscheduled stop may be necessary for various reasons, such as a delayed train ahead or technical or safety‑related issues. Even though such interruptions are undesirable, it is important to remain calm and keep an eye on your belongings.

The onboard staff must also wait for information from the operations control center before they can provide an update on the situation. In the meantime, passengers should remain attentive and contact the train staff again later if they have questions.

If leaving the train is permitted, passengers should stay close to the platform area and not wander away. Announcements and instructions from the train staff must be followed to ensure that everyone can re‑board safely and on time. Passengers should also check that fellow travelers have returned to their seats before departure.

Why can’t all connections always be guaranteed?

With the many possible connections, priorities must be set. The timetable for the entire region of Bavaria is developed by the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG), and it is not always possible to meet all passenger needs. If a planned connection is at risk, passengers can inform the onboard staff. The connection will then be noted, but a guarantee cannot be provided.

I am going to miss my connection. What can I do?

Our onboard staff is available to assist you. In most cases, they can contact the operations control center and attempt to arrange for the connecting train to wait. However, a 100% guarantee cannot be given, as certain train sequences must be maintained. In any case, our staff can suggest an alternative travel option.

What options do I have in the event of a train cancellation or delay?

If a delay of at least 20 minutes at the destination is expected, the following options are available:

Continue your journey at the next opportunity on the same route or via an alternative route.
Continue your journey at a later time if this shortens the arrival time.
Use another local train that does not require a reservation.

If a delay of at least 60 minutes is expected due to a delay, train cancellation or missed connection (excluding force majeure), the following options apply:

Cancel the journey and receive a full refund of the ticket price.
If only part of the route has been used, receive a refund for the unused portion.

To assert your passenger rights, our online form can be used.

Am I entitled to compensation in the event of a train delay or cancellation?

Since 7 June 2023, the new European regulation on the rights and obligations of rail passengers has been in force. This means that uniform passenger rights now apply throughout Germany and Europe. They guarantee passengers the same rights with all railway companies and apply to all trains, regardless of which railway company operates them.

These passenger rights apply only to rail transport. This includes all train services, from S-Bahn to ICE. There is no entitlement to compensation for delays occurring when using underground trains, trams, buses or taxi services. For these cases, please contact the respective transport company. Additional regulations may apply for journeys within transport associations or within the scope of regional tariffs.

These passenger rights constitute the exhaustive claims in cases of delays or cancellations of trains. For example, punctual arrival for an appointment is not part of the transport contract. The railway companies involved in the journey are jointly liable for compensation, reimbursement or expense claims under passenger rights, provided that only one transport contract was concluded for the journey.

A full overview of passenger rights is available at fahrgastrechte.info.
Our online form can be used to submit claims.

How can I find out about changes to my travel route at an early stage?

Our newsletter provides timely information about timetable changes via email. It can be unsubscribed at any time if it is no longer needed.

Onboard Facilities in the oberpfalzbahn

Are there power outlets on the trains?

Can bicycles be transported?

Yes, the oberpfalzbahn provides multifunctional areas where bicycles can be transported in limited capacity. These areas are marked on the outside with a bicycle symbol. Wheelchairs and pushchairs always have priority. Further information can be found under ‘Bicycle transport’.

What should be considered when transporting dogs?

Dogs requiring a paid fare may be transported if they are kept on a leash and wear a suitable muzzle. Animals are not allowed to sit on the seats. All further information on travelling with dogs can be found here.

Do I need to register a trip when travelling with a larger group?

For better planning, we kindly ask groups of 21 people or more to register their trip via our online form no later than 7 working days before travel.
Groups of 6 people or more can also purchase a group ticket with a discount of up to 50% off the regular price. This ticket can only be purchased in advance at one of our service points.

Operational Processes

Can’t you simply add more carriages to a locomotive so that more passengers can be accommodated?

It may sound like a good idea. However, during normal operations, the majority of our rolling stock is already in service. Any vehicles that are not currently in operation are either undergoing maintenance in the workshop or are out of service for scheduled inspections and major overhauls.

Furthermore, the number of vehicles assigned to a route network is specified by the contracting authority, the Bayerische Eisenbahngesellschaft (BEG), as part of the tendering process.

In daily operations, there are also limits to how many carriages can be added. The decisive factor here is the platform length. At certain stations, passengers would no longer be able to board or alight safely because the platform would be too short. Safety is the top priority: every door must be fully accessible from the platform.

What are the most common causes of delays?

Single-track sections and tight scheduling: Some segments on both the Czech and German sides are single‑track. When disruptions occur — for example due to preceding trains or construction works — even minor delays can affect subsequent services, leaving very limited opportunities to recover lost time, such as on the section between Furth im Wald and Regensburg. Additionally, on the section between Freising and Munich, a slower‑running S‑Bahn operates, and maintaining the timetable often requires canceling a train to compensate for delays.

Track construction works: To maintain and improve infrastructure, construction works are unavoidable and may impact train operations. However, the timing of such works is determined by the infrastructure operator, not by us. We adapt our timetables accordingly.

Unscheduled overtaking and train sequencing: Because the alex shares tracks with other services, it may happen that punctual trains are given priority over delayed ones, which can lead to further delays.

Points or signal box failures: These systems determine where trains are routed. Weather conditions or other external factors can cause disruptions.

Signal failures: Signals are crucial for safety. When they fail, delays are an inevitable consequence.

Other possible reasons include:

Police operations and border controls
Overhead line failures
Level crossing malfunctions
Accidents (involving persons or at level crossings)
Objects, animals, or individuals on the tracks
Weather impacts, such as storms requiring reduced speeds
Delays during boarding and alighting
Technical defects on locomotives or carriages

Who decides which train is allowed to depart first in the event of a delay?

Coordination when multiple operators are involved:
If several railway companies are affected on the same route, either the operations control centers of DB InfraGO AG or the local dispatcher for certain sections coordinate which train is given priority. The decisions made by the operations control centers are based on the needs of all customers (i.e., the different railway undertakings) while taking into account the timetable requirements and the economic objectives of DB InfraGO AG.

Decision-making when only one operator is affected:
If only trains of a single company are affected on a route, the company’s own control center decides which train is given priority.

Why do the delay minutes change and sometimes increase or decrease?

Train delays can be caused by a wide range of factors, many of which are difficult to predict. These include both infrastructural and operational conditions that may influence a train’s timetable.

Build-up and reduction of delays: Every train schedule includes time buffers designed to absorb minor delays along the route. These buffer times allow a train to regain punctuality at later points in the journey. However, there are limits to how much delay can be recovered, and new disruptions may occur that further affect the timetable.
A train is not permitted to depart before its scheduled departure time, ensuring that passengers relying on the timetable can make their connections. Arrival times, however, may vary depending on how much of the buffer time can be used or whether new obstacles cause additional delays.

Example of how delays develop: A practical example shows how delays may evolve: A train departs in the Czech Republic with a 10‑minute buffer. During the journey, a train crossing in Česká Kubice results in additional delay. On the following section toward Schwandorf, the train is able to make up part of the delay thanks to sufficient buffer in the schedule. However, a locomotive change in Schwandorf — due to unscheduled shunting procedures — adds another 5 minutes. By the time the train reaches Regensburg, part of this delay has again been reduced.

Unpredictable influences: Delays may also occur when trains must operate behind slower services that stop at multiple stations. This creates a chain reaction in which subsequent trains are delayed as well.
A particular challenge is the unpredictability of certain disruptions. Not every delay can be precisely forecast by the operations control center. For example, a signal failure may occur unexpectedly and cause an immediate 15‑minute delay. Such disruptions cannot always be predicted to the minute, and the control center relies on information from onboard staff. Even when forecasts are made, they may not always match the actual progression of delays, leading to fluctuations between estimated and actual delay minutes.

Additional causes: Construction works and single‑track sections are further typical causes of delays. Construction sites often lead to operational restrictions, while single‑track segments mean that trains can only run in one direction at a time, slowing traffic and causing delays.

Interrelation of delays: The interaction between these various factors and the actual development of delays illustrates how complex the railway system is. Many elements interconnect, and delays often result from a chain of events in which minor disruptions can quickly accumulate, while the options for recovering lost time are limited. The unpredictability and multitude of potential influencing factors make precise forecasting challenging and increase the complexity of the work performed by operations control centers.

Lost and Found Items

Where can I turn if I have lost something on the oberpfalzbahn?

For loss reports, the online form must be used exclusively, and a detailed description of the lost item should be provided. The company’s internal logistics department regularly collects all reported items and delivers them to the responsible lost‑and‑found office. It may take up to three weeks for the item to arrive there. The system automatically matches incoming loss reports with the items found.

Due to the high volume of cases, we kindly ask you to refrain from making inquiries about lost property. You will be notified as soon as your lost item has been found.

Lost items can be shipped within Germany up to a certain size (up to parcel size L). Alternatively, the item can be collected free of charge from the lost‑and‑found office in Schwandorf.

Still have questions? Our customer service team will be happy to assist you.

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