Werner Gatzer, the Supervisory Board Chairman of the German Railways, dismisses all considerations of separating the network and traffic areas.
“It wouldn’t solve any of our problems and would be just symbolic” Gatzer told the “Focus”. Not only the Union and the FDP but also the Monopol Commission are advocating for the separation of the rail network and traffic. “Many countries are very successful with the integrated model” Gatzer countered. “And such a separation would be again a process that would take many years and bring the greatest uncertainty to the company and its employees.”
Regarding the necessary financial means for the urgently needed track renovation, the German government has “clearly committed to the rail with 27 billion euros.” Despite the Ampel outcome, “the glass for the coming years is already more than half full.” On the other hand, it seems that even the just modernized and newly opened Riedbahn between Frankfurt and Mannheim for 1.3 billion euros is already experiencing problems. “Current disruptions after the start of operation are annoying, but not always avoidable” Gatzer said. “However, precautions have been taken to quickly eliminate these defects, so I expect a smooth operational run in the near future” he promised the “Focus”.