The Chairman of the Transport Committee, Tarek Al-Wazir, has strongly advocated for a fundamental shift in direction regarding proposed reforms at Deutsche Bahn. Addressing RTL and ntv broadcasters on Monday, he expressed concern over the current state of the national rail operator, characterizing it as symptomatic of systemic failures within the country.
Al-Wazir emphasized the need for a strategic realignment, going beyond mere changes in leadership. He pointed to decades of insufficient federal investment as a primary driver of the current problems, stating that the infrastructure has deteriorated due to underfunding. He explicitly attributed responsibility for this situation to the Federal Republic of Germany, as the owner of Deutsche Bahn.
Highlighting the importance of strong political backing for future leadership, Al-Wazir cautioned that even capable individuals in management positions will be limited without consistent and substantial support from the government. He criticized the allocation of resources, noting the existence of a special fund while crucial infrastructure projects, such as the Mannheim-Frankfurt railway line and the Brenner North Access Route, remain stalled due to budgetary constraints.
Al-Wazir underscored the urgency of a concerted, cross-party effort, warning that failure to address these challenges within the next decade could have significant and potentially detrimental consequences for the stability of democratic processes.