The appointment of Evelyn Palla as the new head of Deutsche Bahn has received positive acknowledgement from the Green Party. Matthias Gastel, a Green Party transportation expert, lauded the selection, noting Palla’s extensive leadership experience gleaned from two major rail companies. He emphasized that this background provides a valuable perspective, both internal and external, crucial for navigating the challenges facing the national rail operator.
However, Gastel cautioned that Palla’s success will be contingent upon significant improvements to the operational environment surrounding Deutsche Bahn. He stressed the need for the federal government to create more favorable conditions for the company. These improvements, he stated, should include robust and consistently reliable long-term funding for the rail infrastructure. Enhanced oversight and management of the company’s operations were also deemed essential.
Furthermore, Gastel pointed to the necessity of reducing track access charges to prevent the curtailment of long-distance services beyond primary routes due to economic unfeasibility. He underscored that lowering these costs is vital to maintaining a comprehensive rail network.