Right, this sort of thing is difficult because it's not evidence based. It's entirely subjective and anecdotal as compared to your past experiences in Australia, or mine in my own home country.

You come from a country where trains are ALWAYS VERY LATE, Germany is efficient because the trains are just a little late.

OR

You come from a country where the trains are ALWAYS ON TIME, Germany is inefficient because the trains are just a little late.

What I do think is interesting is that people think German's are efficient. Where does that come from? That's what the article is about.