The appointment of Evelyn Palla as the new head of Deutsche Bahn has been met with cautious optimism from various transport associations. Pro Bahn, a passenger advocacy group, expressed confidence in Palla’s ability to revitalize the rail network, citing her successful restructuring efforts within DB Regio. The group’s federal chairman, Detlef Neuß, emphasized her potential to effect change within the broader corporation, provided she is granted sufficient operational independence and, crucially, adequate financial resources for necessary infrastructure upgrades.
Neuß highlighted Palla’s experience with Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), noting that she understands that substantial investment alone is insufficient; it must be strategically and effectively deployed. Passenger expectations, he stated, are high, with a primary focus on restoring the stability of the rail infrastructure and increasing operational staff levels. He pointed to past practices where readily available replacements prevented service disruptions due to illness, contrasting this with recent incidents such as the temporary closure of a signaling post and a station, as occurred in Mainz. Achieving “greater punctuality and predictable transfers” will also necessitate the full implementation of the “Deutschlandtakt” plan, Neuß added.
Privately-owned rail associations Mofair and “Die Güterbahnen” also voiced approval of the appointment. In a joint statement, chairs Matthias Stoffregen and Peter Westenberger acknowledged Palla’s familiarity with the DB’s remediation needs and image concerns. Drawing on her experience with ÖBB, they emphasized her understanding of how a corporate infrastructure can function effectively without direct controlling ownership or profit expectations. However, they underscored a remaining critical need: the development of robust and substantive federal ownership and infrastructure strategies.