The German Federal Minister for Transport, Patrick Schnieder, has announced a comprehensive review of Deutsche Bahn’s organizational structure, signaling a significant effort to improve the national rail network’s performance and reliability. Speaking on ZDF’s Morgenmagazin, Minister Schnieder indicated the need for a further disentanglement of the infrastructure division to increase federal oversight and control, considering the significant financial investment the government makes in the rail system.
The review will encompass all levels of personnel within Deutsche Bahn and its subsidiary companies, addressing concerns about the current number of corporate entities and executive board positions. This reorganization aims to streamline operations and enhance accountability.
Minister Schnieder expressed dissatisfaction with the current levels of reliability within the railway, outlining plans to modernize approximately 40 high-performance corridors essential for efficient rail operations. Work commenced last year on the Frankfurt-Mannheim route and a section of track between Hamburg and Berlin has been closed since August 1st to facilitate essential repairs. Further sections are scheduled for similar upgrades, encompassing the entire rail network including signaling systems.
These modernization efforts are in line with commitments outlined in the governing coalition agreement, which mandates a complete reevaluation and restructuring of the entire “rail system”. Over €100 billion is earmarked for investment in Deutsche Bahn and track maintenance during this legislative period. Minister Schnieder anticipates a “significant improvement” resulting from these substantial investments.
The goal of the planned upgrades is to restore the reliability of the rail network, with current punctuality rates deemed “unsatisfactory”. Schnieder attributes these issues to a combination of operational and infrastructural challenges. Alongside the track modernization program, the government is prioritizing digitalization and personnel adjustments to improve overall system performance.