It was the Bavarian state that first wanted to establish a main line from Regensburg to Passau and initiated plans accordingly, but for financial reasons its actual construction was given to a private company.

The Bavarian Eastern Railway Company or Bayerische Ostbahn opened the first section from Regensburg to Sünching on 12 December 1859.

From Sünching the line swung away to Geiselhöring in the valley of the Kleinen Laaber, where trains continued on to Landshut and Munich.

Similarly, from 6 August 1873, trains from Munich to Landshut could take a shorter route via Eggmühl and Neufahrn, which branched off the old line at Obertraubling.

Regional-Express and Regionalbahn trains run hourly providing local services between Passau and Plattling and stopping at Vilshofen and Osterhofen.