The head of Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), Klaus Müller, has launched a scathing critique of Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company, accusing it of “miserable” project management and demanding immediate improvements to its infrastructure maintenance practices. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” Müller expressed frustration over the disruption caused by ongoing modernization efforts, likening them to “open-heart surgery” while emphasizing the critical need to maintain both passenger and freight transport services.
Müller specifically targeted the railway’s failure to provide timely notifications regarding construction sites, a longstanding point of contention between the network agency and the rail operator. Data reveals a significant shortfall; during the summer months, Deutsche Bahn only informed competitors about 62% of planned construction sites in advance, a figure that plummeted to 55% in the late autumn. “This cannot continue” Müller stated, underscoring the detrimental impact on competing transport providers.
The Bundesnetzagentur has already levied substantial fines – totaling €2.8 million – against InfraGO, Deutsche Bahn’s network subsidiary, due to inadequate advance notice of construction work. However, Müller asserts that these penalties have failed to yield tangible improvements. As a result, the agency is now implementing a policy of mandatory compensation payments. “The railway must compensate all transport companies that utilize the network” he explained. Furthermore, for construction projects announced with exceptionally short notice, the Bundesnetzagentur is reserving the right to halt planned work altogether, a measure Deutsche Bahn is reportedly contesting in court.
The escalating conflict highlights a deeper structural problem within Deutsche Bahn, potentially stemming from ambitious modernization plans colliding with insufficient operational coordination and communication. Müller’s public pronouncements and the agency’s increasingly stringent enforcement measures are likely to intensify pressure on Deutsche Bahn’s leadership to address these systemic failings and ensure the reliable operation of Germany’s vital rail infrastructure. The legal challenge from Deutsche Bahn indicates a willingness to fight back, setting the stage for a protracted and politically sensitive dispute over the future of Germany’s rail network.