The prospect of rival rail operators gaining equitable access to the Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) popular “DB Navigator” app appears increasingly distant, despite a firm directive from Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU). The national rail giant is demonstrating little enthusiasm for transferring the app from its long-distance passenger service (DB Fernverkehr) to the infrastructure division, InfraGO, a move intended to foster competition.
When pressed by “Der Spiegel” regarding a timeline for the transfer, DB offered a deliberately evasive response, acknowledging only that the app’s relocation was “mentioned” in Schnieder’s recent rail agenda. The company stated that the “responsible bodies within DB will examine” the matter, falling short of a concrete commitment. Schnieder’s “Agenda for Satisfied Customers on the Rails” unveiled in September, had stipulated that the shift should occur “in the short term” reflecting the Federal Transport Ministry’s expectation.
The distinction lies in the operational mandate of InfraGO, which operates under a public welfare ethos, contrasting with the commercially driven DB Fernverkehr. The German Federal Cartel Office has already flagged DB’s digital platforms for disadvantaging competitors, citing practices such as prioritizing DB’s own offerings within search results. DB reportedly anticipates that InfraGO would need to purchase the Navigator app from DB Fernverkehr to facilitate the transfer. The app’s development has been a significant investment, with recent valuations placing its worth at up to €1.5 billion. DB has warned that a transfer accompanied by a significant financial flow could be interpreted by the European Commission as illegal cross-subsidization. Furthermore, infrastructural changes would be required within InfraGO to establish the necessary sales and distribution channels, an area previously outside its purview.
Flixtrain, a prominent rail competitor, sharply criticized these justifications as fabricated excuses. CEO André Schwämmlein told “Der Spiegel” that the transfer is “neither legally nor economically a problem” referencing the app’s prior relocation from DB Vertrieb to DB Fernverkehr in 2023. He advocated for a comprehensive solution allowing passengers to view and book journeys and fares from all providers directly through the Navigator, demanding that Schnieder’s prior announcements be translated into tangible action. Schwämmlein lamented the lack of progress, stating that the situation remains unchanged since Schnieder originally presented the rail strategy in September, underlining a growing sense of frustration within the competitive rail landscape. The dispute highlights a broader struggle between DB’s protection of its dominant position and the government’s commitment to promoting a more level playing field for rail operators.