Transport company Flix is planning a major expansion of its rail operations in Germany, aiming to double the number of FlixTrain services over the next two years.
The move is expected to increase competition for state-owned operator Deutsche Bahn, which currently dominates Germany’s long-distance passenger rail market.
FlixTrain Plans Significant Route Expansion
According to company plans, FlixTrain intends to double service frequency on several major intercity routes by 2027.
The expansion includes additional train connections between Berlin and Leipzig as well as Hamburg and Cologne.
Services between Berlin and Hamburg are also set to increase by roughly one-third, reaching up to 10 daily departures in each direction.
Flix says the broader goal is to create a high-frequency rail network linking all major German cities beginning in 2028.
Competition Growing In German Rail Market
Germany’s transport ministry welcomed the expansion plans, stating that increased railway competition is beneficial for passengers and the wider transport system.
The federal government has already announced investments exceeding €100 billion aimed at modernising national rail infrastructure.
Despite these investments, Deutsche Bahn continues to face criticism over delays, operational reliability and long-term underfunding.
According to reports cited by Spiegel magazine, Deutsche Bahn currently controls approximately 90 percent of Germany’s long-distance rail services.
FlixTrain Growth Expected To Continue Despite Challenges
Flix co-founder and chief executive André Schwämmlein acknowledged that FlixTrain is unlikely to become profitable in Germany for several more years.
However, the company continues investing aggressively in rail expansion as demand for affordable intercity train travel grows across Europe.
FlixTrain has increasingly positioned itself as a lower-cost alternative to traditional high-speed rail operators.
More International Operators Eye German Market
Competition in Germany’s rail sector is expected to intensify further in coming years.
Italian rail operator Italo has also announced plans to enter the German market with high-speed services beginning in 2028, pending regulatory approval.
The growing number of operators reflects broader liberalisation trends within Europe’s rail sector, where governments and regulators are encouraging competition to improve service quality, lower prices and increase passenger choice.
