A former CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and former Chancellor of Austria, Christian Kern, has sharply criticized the German railway company, Deutsche Bahn. According to Kern, the poor state of the German rail network is detrimental to the business of its customers. As the current managing director of a leasing company for rail vehicles, Kern has a personal stake in the issue, as he often finds himself lost in the vast German rail network with family members.
Kern attributes the Deutsche Bahn’s problems to a leadership issue, stating that the company has too many layers, too many managers and too many consultants. He believes that this structure is unsustainable and will never lead to success. To resolve the issues, Kern suggests the need for clear announcements from the top and independent financing, unbound by election results. He also dismisses the demand that Deutsche Bahn should make a profit, calling it “the greatest lie of the rail network.” The rail infrastructure, Kern argues, is a common good and a state responsibility and it is unrealistic to expect significant profits.
As the former CEO of ÖBB and former Chancellor of Austria, Kern’s opinions carry significant weight in the rail industry. His comments highlight the ongoing challenges faced by Deutsche Bahn and the need for a fundamental change in the company’s leadership and approach.