The Federal Minister for Transport, Volker Schnieder, has announced structural reforms for Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) following the release of the company’s mid-year financial report, expressing dissatisfaction with the current performance. During an interview with “Tagesthemen” on Thursday, Minister Schnieder stated the government’s concern regarding the rail operator’s punctuality rates, emphasizing the urgent need for significant improvement. The aim, he explained, is to restore punctuality figures beyond 80 percent.
Schnieder attributed the current unreliability to issues affecting both operational practices and the existing infrastructure. He indicated that investments will be crucial to enhance the operational resilience of the network. While refraining from providing a precise timeline for achieving improvement, the Minister emphasized that each completed measure will contribute to a more reliable system and subsequently improve punctuality data. He cautioned against setting unrealistic, date-bound projections.
Minister Schnieder further announced a comprehensive strategy for Deutsche Bahn, slated for completion by the end of the summer. This strategy will encompass a broad range of changes within the organization and will specifically address personnel structures. The goal is to create a more streamlined organizational setup, incorporating increased expertise into supervisory bodies to enhance oversight and improve management by the company’s owner and supervisory board.