Rail transport Deutsche Bahn fights for a turnaround
Trains are late, the rail network is ailing and the balance sheet is deep in the red: Deutsche Bahn is lagging behind the hoped-for turnaround. If the next German government has its way, this could have consequences for Deutsche Bahn boss Richard Lutz.
27.03.2025, 15:00
SDA
Negotiators from the CDU, CSU and SPD are calling for the 60-year-old to be removed in the coalition negotiations. Lutz has been President of Deutsche Bahn since 2017. Eight years later, the situation looks bleak.
Last year, only 62.5 percent of long-distance trains were on time - not even two out of three ICE and IC trains. From Deutsche Bahn's point of view, the main reason for the high level of unreliability is the dilapidated infrastructure. It leads to many unplanned construction sites that disrupt the timetable. In addition, the network is sometimes over-utilized.
Deutsche Bahn wants to turn the tide with a restructuring program. Instead of more traffic growth, the focus is on stabilizing the entire rail system. As early as this year, the Group aims to be back in the black, at least in operating terms - i.e. before interest and taxes (EBIT). Last year, this figure was still a large minus of 333 million euros, adjusted for inflation effects.
